LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18 Captain Hook, a 1,100-pound sea lion named for the 70 hooks found in him when he was rescued, is being taken to San Clemente Island, Calif., for release.
The sea lion was released off the coast of San Diego County, Calif., in November, but made his way back to the Newport Beach area, where he had been rescued in October, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
Captain Hook was loaded Monday onto the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter George Cobb for transport from Los Angeles to a new home on the uninhabited island.
Michele Hunter of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, Calif., said the animal was riddled with hooks the first time he was rescued.
"He had more hooks than I have ever seen in one animal," she said.
After his first release, the sea lion was rescued again -- this time with only one hook stuck in him, "but the lure was really large," Hunter said.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
