Three California sea‑lion pups that were found severely underweight on Los Angeles County beaches in April have been released back into the ocean near Manhattan Beach Pier. after six weeks of intensive care at the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC) in San Pedro, the animals—named Tortellini, Rotini and Cavatappi—were escorted into the surf on May 29, 2026, in a ceremony attended by Mayor Joe Franklin and local volunteers.

Six‑week rehab at MMCC restores three pups

The Marine Mammal Care Center, the only year‑round marine‑mammal rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles, provided tube feeding, eye‑inflammation medication and a gradual shift to whole‑fish diets. according to the report, the pups emerged from a six‑week program weighing significantly more and showing no signs of the dehydration that plagued them on rescue.

MMCC staff logged the progress of each animal, noting that the two females, Tortellini and Rotini, gained an average of 12 pounds each, while the male, Cavatappi, added roughly 10 pounds. the center’s veterinarians emphasized that the rapid weight gain was essential for the pups’ ability to hunt and evade predators once returned to the wild.

Mayor Joe Franklin joins Manhattan Beach release

Mayor Joe Franklin arrived at the Manhattan Beach Pier to witness the moment the three sea‑lion pups slipped into the surf. he praised the volunteers and MMCC staff, saying the event “highlights the power of community and science working together for wildlife.” The mayor’s presence was captured by photographer Axel Koester, whose images show the pups being gently guided by volunteers before disappearing into the waves.

Local residents gathered along the shoreline, cheering as the animals swam away.. The release ceremony, organized by MMCC volunteers, included a brief safety briefing for onlookers, reminding them to keep a respectful distance and avoid disrupting the pups’ natural behavior.

Tortellini, Rotini and Cavatappi rescued from Dockweiler and El Segundo

The three pups were found in mid‑April on Dockweiler Beach and El Segundo, each described in the source as “emaciated, dehydrated, and suffering from various ailments.” Rescue teams from the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service located the animals, flagged them for transport, and delivered them to MMCC within hours.

Rescue coordinators noted that the pups’ condition was typical of stranded sea‑lion pups that have been separated from their mothers and forced to fend for themselves on crowded beaches. The report says that early intervention was crucial; without prompt medical care, the likelihood of survival would have dropped dramatically.

MMCC leads U.S. in rescues per coastline mile

The Marine Mammal Care Center rescues more marine mammals per mile of coastline than any other U.S. organization, according to the article. This statistic underscores the center’s strategic location near the busy ports and beaches of Southern California, where human activity frequently endangers marine life.

MMCC’s annual reports show that it treats over 200 marine mammals each year, ranging from sea lions to seals and even occasional dolphins. The center’s success rate, now highlighted by the Manhattan Beach release, is a benchmark for other coastal rehabilitation programs nationwide.

Will the pups survive long‑term after release?

While the immediate release was celebrated,the report does not provide follow‑up data on the pups’ post‑release monitoring. Key unanswered points include whether the animals will successfully reintegrate with wild colonies and how seasonal ocean conditions might affect their survival.

Experts from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife typically attach satellite tags to released pups to track movements, but the source does not confirm whether such tags were used this time. Without that data, the long‑term outcome remains uncertain.