article_snippet: Since January 2015, every month has set a record in sea lion "strandings," mostly sea lion pups, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
article_snippet: There has been an unusually high number of sea lions stranded since January," said Greenman.
article_snippet: Stranding does happen, but just to give you perspective, 1,800 [sea lion] pups have been responded to this year.
article_snippet: Local care facilities have taken in more stranded sea lions this year than 2004-12 combined, and it is only mid-March.
article_snippet: Dave Koontz, director of communications for SeaWorld San Diego, said SeaWorld has rescued nearly 500 sea lions this year.
article_snippet: Some of the sea lions responded to have had to be euthanized.
article_snippet: We have been seeing emaciated or dehydrated sea lions show up on beaches," Greenman said.
article_snippet: California's sea lion population has grown to 300,000 from an estimated population of 10,000 in the 1950s, according to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
article_snippet: People who observe stranded sea lions are advised not to touch People who observe stranded sea lions or attempt to rescue People who observe stranded sea lions, because it can be dangerous and it is illegal.
highlights_snippet: There has been an unusually high number of sea lions stranded since January," NOAA representative says .
  