Sea Lion Named 'Shark Bite' Recovering At Six Flags Vallejo After Great White Attack
VALLEJO (KCBS) -- A young sea lion who recently survived a great white shark attack is recovering at its new home in Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo.
It was late last year when the 2-year-old sea lion, starving and stranded, was found on a Santa Barbara beach.
Six Flags Veterinarian Dr. Vanessa says he was suffering from the shark bite, which went from his shoulder down to his hip.
"I always picture it, he must have seen into that mouth, and somehow was able to get away, and that's where the luck came in. So, we're really thankful that he was able to get away.
Experts say the sea lion, which has been named Shark Bite, was not initially expected to survive.
Shark Bite has recovered from 38 pounds when he was found, to weighing 88 pounds now.
Marine Mammal Supervisor Jenny Egelhof says that because the wound was deemed so serious, Shark Bite won't be released back into the wild.
"It is absolutely amazing, and that's why we have named him Shark Bite. He will always have the scars to prove what he went through," Egelhof said.
Shark Bite joins the parks three other sea lions, including an adult male that was rescued from the Sacramento River several years ago after being shot in the face.