Sea lion forsakes ocean for trip to farm

Mammal found 65 miles away from beach

A sea lion basks in the sun on the back of a California
Highway Patrol car Monday on a rural road in Los Banos, California.

LOS BANOS, California (AP) -- A sea lion that apparently swam upriver from the ocean into the inland canals of central California was captured after motorists spotted it flopping along the roadway, 65 miles (105 kilometers) from the sea.

The 300-pound (135-kilogram) animal, first reported Monday morning, basked in the sun on the back of a highway patrol cruiser while officers waited for a marine rescue team to fetch him.

The adult male was expected to be held several days for observation before being released into the ocean, said Cynthia Schramm, a spokeswoman for the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center.

"We don't think anyone grabbed him. We just think he went all the way through the San Joaquin River, into some canals, and probably got out and started wandering around," Schramm said. "Maybe he was going after fish, and there are far fewer sea lions to compete with in the delta."

Sea lions have also been found in the Sacramento and Stockton areas, more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) inland, Schramm said.

"Sometimes they follow the prey until they are so far away and don't know how to get back," Schramm said.

The sea lion, found about a half-mile from the nearest canal, appeared to be in good condition.

00 : 01 : 02 : 03 : 04 : 05