Community Corner

Girl Scouts Help Rehabilitate Malnourished Sea Lion Pup

Katniss was brought to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach in January and thanks to the donations from local Girl Scouts, the sea lion pup will be released into the wild on Sunday.

With a love of animals and a commitment to making the world a better place, Aliso Viejo Girl Scout Troop #1751 donated $300 to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, helping to save the life of a sea lion pup named Katniss.

Katniss will be released back into the ocean on Sunday after about four months of rehabilitation at the Laguna Beach center.

“[The troop] is very excited that she is so much healthier, has gained weight and is ready for her new life to begin,” said Cathy Rooney, Girl Scout Troop leader. “Making the world a better place is part of the Girl Scout law, as well as being friendly and helpful, considerate and caring. And these girls stand by it. I know for me it will be an emotional and touching experience, one that will rank as one of the highlights thus far in my three years as a leader.”

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The 28 brownies, lead by Melissa Blye, Marianne Gryziewicz and Rooney, donated one third of their cookie sales to Pacific Marine Mammal Center at the beginning of the school year. They were placed on a waiting list for an injured sea lion or seal. In January they were contacted and sent a photo of Katniss, who weighed 29 lbs when rescued and was malnourished and dehydrated.

The sea lion’s health began improving in just a few days as she showed off her feisty demeanor.

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Katniss now weighs 71 lbs.


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