Authorities baffled by young sea lion at Oakland International Airport

California sea lion Cruizin explores a pen during rehabilitation at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. The Center is thankful to its partners at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the USDA for their support in the rescue effort Thursday morning. less California sea lion Cruizin explores a pen during rehabilitation at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. The Center is thankful to its partners at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the USDA for ... more Photo: Photo © The Marine Mammal Center Photo: Photo © The Marine Mammal Center Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Authorities baffled by young sea lion at Oakland International Airport 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

Oakland International Airport was visited by an uncommon traveler Thursday morning: a young California sea lion.

Alameda County Sheriff deputies spotted the flippered mammal waddling near Airport Access Road around 2 a.m Thursday. Though the Oakland airport abuts the bay on its western side, the animal had seemingly traveled a fair distance on land.

Using their flashlights and voices — one deputy can be heard calling the sea lion "good boy" in a video of the encounter — the deputies led the wayward animal back to the bay's waters.

This little seal decided to pay a visit to @IFlyOAKland this morning. We are not sure where he was trying to go but likely a flight to Hawaii. He was very cooperative and deputies coaxed him back to the bay where he is safe. pic.twitter.com/Taa3VUXsv9 — Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) December 20, 2018

It didn't stay there. About four hours later, the sea lion was once again spotted doddering on airport land. Deputies called in backup.

"We were concerned that maybe the sea lion was sick or lost or in need of assistance," said Sergeant Ray Kelly, a spokesperson for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.

With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's wildlife team and marine mammal experts, the sea lion was corralled into a kennel and transported to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito for evaluation.

Nicknamed Cruizin by Marine Mammal Center staff, the young sea lion is currently resting in the hospital's intensive care and quarantine unit, where all animals spend at least 12 hours upon arrival.

Emily Whitmer, the Marine Mammal Center's Koret Foundation Veterinary Intern, said the sea lion will be evaluated tomorrow, though it appeared "fairly skinny," as though it hasn't been able to sufficiently feed itself in the wild.

"It was probably separated from its mom earlier than it should have been," Whitmer said.

Officials aren't certain how or why the sea lion came to the airport — Kelly joked the animal was hoping to catch a last-minute flight to Hawaii for the holidays — but they agree such a sight is unusual.

"I've been here 23 years, and I've never seen a sea lion at the airport before," Kelly said.

During their brief encounter with the critter, deputies grew fond of it and could "see its personality," Kelly said. "It's almost like a dog."

Whitmer said Cruizin's story should serve as a reminder to the public to leave marine marine mammals alone, especially with the forthcoming spring pupping season.

The center asks the public to keep ample distance from marine mammals in the wild or otherwise — a good rule of thumb is to stay far enough away from the animal that you must use the zoom function on your phone camera — and to call the center at 415-289-7325 if you encounter an animal that appears to be in distress.

Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.

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