Story by Lily Dallow
• 1mo •
2 min read
Sick sea lion found shot in the head completes rehab, released in Rancho Palos Verdes
Sick sea lion found shot in the head returns to ocean
We’re not sure which is confetti and which is candy
Current Time 0:28
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Duration 1:59
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In a heartwarming update from wildlife officials, a sea lion that was found critically ill and with two bullets in his skull last month was released back to the ocean with another rescued sea lion in Rancho Palos Verdes on Thursday morning.
The gunshot survivor, Confetti, and his release mate, Candycane, were both taken in by the Marine Mammal Care Center in the winter with leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys and can be fatal if not treated.
Confetti, an adult male California sea lion, was rescued from Ballona Creek on Jan. 5 after he was found lethargic and in distress.
Veterinarians determined Confetti was suffering from leptospirosis, and blood tests also revealed serious liver abnormalities, prompting crews to quickly start antibiotics, supportive medications and IV fluids for dehydration.
A sick sea lion that was shot in the head twice is seen after wildlife officials rescued it in L.A. County. January 2026. (Marine Mammal Care Center)
When Confetti arrived at the rehabilitation facility, he was barely moving and refused food for days.
“He was markedly lethargic,” rescuers said, noting that he showed little interest in fish and rarely shifted positions during his first several days in care — a worrying sign for staff monitoring his condition around the clock.
Veterinarians also made a grim discovery during early medical imaging: X-rays showed two bullets embedded in Confetti’s skull.
Rescue officials say it is tragically common for stranded sea lions to bear evidence of gunshot wounds. While many animals do not survive, Confetti continued to recover — and his caretakers say his story offers a rare glimmer of hope after a brutal 2025 for sea lions in the region.
Over roughly a month in care, Confetti gained more than 40 pounds and steadily regained his strength.
A rescued sea lion is seen returning to the wild after weeks of rehabilitation by the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro. February 2026. (KTLA)
A rescued sea lion is seen returning to the wild after weeks of rehabilitation by the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro. February 2026. (KTLA)
A rescued sea lion is seen returning to the wild after weeks of rehabilitation by the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro. February 2026. (KTLA)
Also saved by this center, Candycane, a juvenile male California sea lion, was rescued in Malibu on Dec. 19. Like Confetti, he was lethargic and underweight, but, after about six weeks of treatment that included antibiotics and fluids, he recovered and was cleared for release.
Live images from the shoreline Thursday morning showed the two sea lions making their way across the rocky beach in Rancho Palos Verdes. One slipped into the surf almost immediately, while the other paused at the water’s edge before finally plunging in.