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Sea Lion Recovering in LA After Being Found with Two Bullets in Head

A rescued sea lion named Confetti is recovering in Los Angeles after a marine care center discovered two bullets in his head. The sea lion was rescued from Ballona creek on January 5 and has a 'really great chance' of being released. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of marine life being harmed by human activities.

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A rescued sea lion is recovering in Los Angeles after a shocking discovery by a marine care center - two bullets were found in his head. The sea lion, named Confetti, was rescued from Ballona creek, a watershed...

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  1. Source 1 · theguardian.com

    Sea lion recovering in LA after marine center found two bullets in his head

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Sea Lion Recovering in LA After Being Found with Two Bullets in Head

A rescued sea lion named Confetti is recovering in Los Angeles after a marine care center discovered two bullets in his head. The sea lion was rescued from Ballona creek on January 5 and has a 'really great chance' of being released. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of marine life being harmed by human activities.

Friday, January 23, 2026 • 3 min read • 1 source reference

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A rescued sea lion is recovering in Los Angeles after a shocking discovery by a marine care center - two bullets were found in his head. The sea lion, named Confetti, was rescued from Ballona creek, a watershed connected to the Santa Monica bay, on January 5. According to the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, Confetti has a "really great chance" of being released back into the wild.

The Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles announced the rescue on their Facebook page, stating that Confetti was found with two bullets in his head. The center's marine biologist, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the sea lion's condition is stable, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

"It's not uncommon for us to see marine animals with injuries caused by human activities, but it's always shocking to see the extent of the harm," said the marine biologist. "In this case, Confetti was lucky to have been rescued in time, and we're doing everything we can to ensure his recovery."

The incident highlights the ongoing issue of marine life being harmed by human activities, such as pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and gun violence. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), marine debris, including plastic pollution and abandoned fishing gear, kills an estimated 100,000 marine mammals every year.

In addition to the physical harm caused by human activities, marine life is also vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Rising ocean temperatures and acidification can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems, causing coral bleaching, changes in species distribution, and disruptions to food chains.

The Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals. The center provides medical care, nutrition, and shelter to injured and stranded marine mammals, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.

Confetti's rescue and rehabilitation are a testament to the center's tireless efforts to protect and conserve marine life. As the sea lion continues to recover, the center's staff remains optimistic about his chances of being released.

"We're doing everything we can to ensure Confetti's recovery, and we're hopeful that he'll be able to return to the wild soon," said the marine biologist. "It's cases like this that remind us of the importance of our work and the need to protect marine life from human harm."

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible human behavior and the need to protect marine life from harm. As Confetti continues to recover, his story highlights the ongoing struggle to preserve the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the need for continued conservation efforts.

Sources:

  • Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles Facebook post
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Marine Debris Program

A rescued sea lion is recovering in Los Angeles after a shocking discovery by a marine care center - two bullets were found in his head. The sea lion, named Confetti, was rescued from Ballona creek, a watershed connected to the Santa Monica bay, on January 5. According to the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, Confetti has a "really great chance" of being released back into the wild.

The Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles announced the rescue on their Facebook page, stating that Confetti was found with two bullets in his head. The center's marine biologist, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the sea lion's condition is stable, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

"It's not uncommon for us to see marine animals with injuries caused by human activities, but it's always shocking to see the extent of the harm," said the marine biologist. "In this case, Confetti was lucky to have been rescued in time, and we're doing everything we can to ensure his recovery."

The incident highlights the ongoing issue of marine life being harmed by human activities, such as pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and gun violence. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), marine debris, including plastic pollution and abandoned fishing gear, kills an estimated 100,000 marine mammals every year.

In addition to the physical harm caused by human activities, marine life is also vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Rising ocean temperatures and acidification can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems, causing coral bleaching, changes in species distribution, and disruptions to food chains.

The Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals. The center provides medical care, nutrition, and shelter to injured and stranded marine mammals, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.

Confetti's rescue and rehabilitation are a testament to the center's tireless efforts to protect and conserve marine life. As the sea lion continues to recover, the center's staff remains optimistic about his chances of being released.

"We're doing everything we can to ensure Confetti's recovery, and we're hopeful that he'll be able to return to the wild soon," said the marine biologist. "It's cases like this that remind us of the importance of our work and the need to protect marine life from human harm."

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible human behavior and the need to protect marine life from harm. As Confetti continues to recover, his story highlights the ongoing struggle to preserve the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the need for continued conservation efforts.

Sources:

  • Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles Facebook post
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Marine Debris Program

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The Guardian

Sea lion recovering in LA after marine center found two bullets in his head

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theguardian.com · Jan 23, 2026

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