Video: Ore. Police Spend Hours Helping Lost Sea Lion Return to Water

A lost sea lion was trying to find its way back to water but instead was wandering toward a busy highway, Oregon officials said.

The Oregon State Police said they received a report that an out-of-place sea lion named Tiffany was heading toward the Pacific Coast Highway near Lincoln City on Nov. 26. The city is about 90 miles southwest of Portland on the coast.

“Tiffany was very content on staying in the middle of the roadway and slowly moved closer to Hwy 101,” the Lincoln City Police Department said on Facebook.

The sea lion couldn’t stay on her course and cross the busy Highway 101. Wildlife officials tried to lure the sea lion in a different direction with fish, but she was too overwhelmed to follow the bait.

After fish didn’t work, officials decided to herd the animal using sheets of plywood.

Using the plywood to direct the sea lion on where to go, officials directed the sea lion toward a creek two blocks away, the Oregon State Police said. The creek eventually connects to the Pacific Ocean.

“After several breaks for the sake of Tiffany’s health, (and a few refreshing soaks from garden hoses) she was guided to an opening which led down to the river,” the Lincoln City Police Department said.

The sea lion slid down an embankment and will be able to swim into the Pacific Ocean once the tide returns, Oregon State Police said.

Sea lions need to move into water to find food and regulate their body temperature, according to the World Wildlife Fund. They are endangered animals.

A crowd of people who had gathered to watch the sea lion cheered when she “blew bubbles in the creek,” officials said.

“Way to go, Tiffany,” they cheered.

Sea lions are common along the Oregon coast, according to the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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