Police rescue seal pup at Ocean Beach

Police officers from San Francisco’s Richmond Station kept a distressed baby sea lion company at Ocean Beach early Monday morning until the animal could be rescued.

Officers responded to Ocean Beach at 1:06 p.m. Monday on report of a baby sea lion in distress.

They found it near a stairwell, cold and tired. The pup reportedly tried to warm itself next to the officers.

Police were able to ensure the pup didn’t wander into traffic during the morning commute until rescue workers from the Marine Mammal Center arrived.

The officers were unable to determine the pup’s gender but they named it George Bison, since George is the call sign for officers assigned to the Richmond Station, and the station’s softball team’s mascot is a bison.

Police and Marine Mammal Center officials urged beachgoers not to disturb stranded marine mammals. Instead, observe them from a safe distance and call (415) 289-SEAL as well as local law enforcement agencies.