Sea lion recovering in LA after marine center found two bullets in his head

Sea lion recovering in LA after marine center found two bullets in his head

Sam Levin in Los Angeles

Fri, January 23, 2026 at 9:28 PM UTC

3 min read

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<span>Confetti the sea lion.</span><span>Photograph: Courtesy of Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles</span> — Confetti the sea lion.Photograph: Courtesy of Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles(Photograph: Courtesy of Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles)

A rescued sea lion is recovering in Los Angeles after a marine care center discovered he had two bullets in his head.

The sea lion, named Confetti, was rescued from Ballona creek, a watershed connected to the Santa Monica bay, on 5 January, the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles announced on Thursday.

Confetti also tested positive for leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys and can be fatal if not treated, the center said in a Facebook post, sharing a photo showing the sea lion in recovery.

Skull X-rays taken during the sea lion’s initial exams revealed the two bullets in his head, “indicating that this was actually the second time he had narrowly escaped death”, the center wrote.

“Sadly, it is not unusual to find sea lions that have been shot by humans, highlighting the prevalence of violence these animals face. Many die, but some, like Confetti, survive,” the center said.

Confetti’s bloodwork showed “concerning liver abnormalities”, said the marine mammal health and conservation organization, which does rescues year-round across the entire Los Angeles county coastline from Malibu to Long Beach.

When Confetti was first rescued, the group’s veterinary experts put the sea lion on supportive medications and antibiotics and gave him fluids to help with dehydration.

“Confetti was markedly lethargic upon arrival at our hospital and remained that way for the first few days in care. He showed no interest in fish and rarely moved. Our veterinary experts were quite concerned given his poor condition and lack of improvement. But finally, on day four in care, he started moving around and was more alert,” the care center said.

By day seven, Confetti successfully chased and ate live fish, and the following day, he was eating herring, the center said, adding: “His resilience offers hope after a very tough year for sea lions.”

Last spring, an unusually high number of disoriented mammals were showing up along the southern California coast, sickened by a toxic algae bloom.

Dave Bader, a marine biologist with the center, told the Guardian on Friday morning that Confetti “looked like he was feeling better” and had shown signs of improvement. “His typical behavior had been lying down looking sickly.

“All indications are he’s looking really good … There’s a really great chance he’s going to get released,” Bader continued. “He’s a beautiful big boy. He’s still got a lot more room to grow. He’s just an amazing animal.”

Bader said the center has regularly seen animals who have survived bullet wounds. The center saw 10 confirmed animals with gunshots in 2024 and four last year, he said, but the center doesn’t X-ray every animal, so the number could be larger. And the center only takes in mammals that have survived and need treatment, so it does not track the larger scope of animals shot by bullets.

Some mammals suffering bullet wounds have impaired vision due to shots in the head, Bader added. “It’s horrifying … but these animals are incredibly tough and resilient.”

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