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Seal pup rescued after getting tangled in netting in California bay, video shows

A harbor seal pup was rescued after he was found entangled in netting in a California bay, rescuers said.

The pup, named Cyrus, was stuck in “jumbled netting debris” with “monofilament fishing line wrapped tightly around his snout” in the San Francisco Bay near Fort Mason on July 9, The Marine Mammal Center said in a series of tweets.

A video shared by the nonprofit shows rescuers, including some from the San Francisco Fire Department, freeing Cyrus and scooping him up in a large net.

After he was rescued, the nonprofit said Cyrus was taken to its hospital, where veterinarians found “a fish hook lodged in his lower lip.”

The seal pup was found with “a fish hook lodged in his lower lip.”
The seal pup was found with “a fish hook lodged in his lower lip.” © The Marine Mammal Center

“Intelligent and curious, seals and sea lions can see trash as something to eat, investigate or play with — not knowing the potentially fatal consequences,” the nonprofit said.

The nonprofit said its veterinarians plan to remove the hook during an examination that will also “diagnose any other potential ailments.”

Once he’s healthy, Cryus will be released back to the wild, fire officials said.
Once he’s healthy, Cryus will be released back to the wild, fire officials said. © The Marine Mammal Center

Once he’s healthy enough, Cyrus “will be released back to the wild,” fire officials said on Twitter.

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This story was originally published July 11, 2023 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Seal pup rescued after getting tangled in netting in California bay, video shows."

Daniella Segura
McClatchy DC
Daniella Segura is a national real-time reporter with McClatchy. Previously, she’s worked as a multimedia journalist for weekly and daily newspapers in the Los Angeles area. Her work has been recognized by the California News Publishers Association. She is also an alumnus of the University of Southern California and UC Berkeley.
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