#leptospirosis

#leptospirosis

The sea lion weighed about 200 pounds and appeared to be in poor condition, said Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. It was reactive and registered the volunteers' presence but was lethargic. The volunteers worked together to corral the animal into a large metal box as a crowd of beachgoers formed to watch the rescue in progress. The crowd applauded once the sea lion was safely secured in the box and the volunteers carried it up the beach.

Leptospirosis, a kidney disease caused by the spiral-shaped bacteria Leptospira, is identifiable by symptoms like unusual drinking behavior in California sea lions.