A young sea lion apparently suffering from an illness was rescued from the Big Rock Beach area of Malibu on Christmas Day, after spending perhaps as long as two days sitting on the rocks.

Jeff Hall, marine mammal coordinator for the California Wildlife Center, said he received a call at about 5:30 Monday evening that the animal appeared to be in need of help. Hall investigated, but wasn't able to get to the male yearling until about 1 p.m. Tuesday, after the tide went out. "He was definitely lethargic, so he was fairly easy to rescue," Hall said.

The sea lion was emaciated, weighing about half of the 40-55 pounds that would be normal for its age, Hall said. After it was lifted from the rocks with a net, the sea lion was taken to the CWC's facility in Calabasas, and was expected to be transported to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro on Wednesday for treatment, Hall said.