Lone Newborn Sea Lion Pup Spotted at La Jolla Shoreline
Newborn Sea Lion Pup Observed Alone at La Jolla During Pupping Season
Sea Lion pup, La Jolla, CA 2026 © Wildlife Jewels / Azi Sharif
🦭 A newborn sea lion pup with an umbilical cord was observed alone along the La Jolla shoreline.
Newborn pups are extremely vulnerable and need space, quiet, and protection from disturbance.
We are wishing for the best possible outcome for this little pup — whether that means being reunited with mom or being rescued by authorized responders.
Please do not approach, touch, feed, or attempt to move any marine mammal.
💙 Every wild life matters.
To report distressed, injured, entangled, or deceased coastal wildlife in San Diego or Orange County, visit: wildlifejewels.org/report-wildlife
For general emergency and harassment reporting see our Rescue Resources for San Diego County HERE.
Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew to support next steps when needed, including tracking cases and helping connect wildlife to authorized care.
We invite you to join us for the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Learn more and RSVP HERE.
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!
La Jolla Seal Pup Seen Free of Plastic Ring at Children’s Pool After 11 Days
La Jolla Seal Pup Seen Free of Plastic Ring at Children’s Pool After 11 Days
Kyanite the Seal, La Jolla, CA May 5,, 2026 © Wildlife Jewels
During yesterday’s EYES coastal wildlife observation field day at Children’s Pool in La Jolla, our team spent the evening observing local wildlife, including seals, and seabirds along the shoreline and cliffs.
As the sun began to lower, we spotted the precious seal pup who had first been seen entangled with a thick orange plastic ring around her neck on April 25. Seeing the ring still tightly around such a young pup after 11 days was heartbreaking and beyond concerning. Plastic and other human-caused debris can quickly become life-threatening for marine mammals, especially growing pups.
The sighting was immediately reported, and we remained nearby continuing to observe from a distance.
Not long afterward, in an incredible moment, the pup was seen safely free of the ring 💙
Watching her resting without the thick plastic around her neck after days of concern was amazing to witness. Moments like these remind us how important wildlife observation, documentation, and rapid reporting can be for animals in distress.
We’ve named this resilient little pup Kyanite, after the ocean-blue gemstone associated with healing, resilience, and balance.
Her story is also a reminder of the devastating impacts plastic and marine debris continue to have on wildlife along our coast. Every piece of debris removed from beaches and waterways can help prevent suffering for marine animals like Kyanite. You can help Wildlife Jewels remove marine debris by joining our Sweep for Wildlife group.
Please always keep a safe distance from marine mammals and report injured or entangled wildlife to appropriate responders.
To join our team of EYES™ wildlife observers, learn more and apply here.
To help us support seabird rescue efforts, apply to join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew!
We are currently seeking volunteers to help with seabird search & rescue support in La Jolla, North County San Diego, and Orange County coastal, CA.
Kyanite the Seal, May 5 2026 La Jolla, CA
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!
A Second Chance for an Entangled Brown Pelican. One moment of awareness helped change the course of his life. On July 22, 2026, a Wildlife Jewels® Search Scout survey at Crystal Cove State Park became an unexpected rescue mission.