00:00Final Cut, the sea lion, is at the SeaWorld Animal Hospital being treated for the second
00:07time in just eight months for a fishing line entanglement around his neck.
00:13These animals are sentinels for the health of our oceans.
00:17The fact that this animal encountered fishing gear for a second time just shows you how
00:20much these animals have to contend with in the ocean, or how much derelict fishing gear
00:25there is in the ocean, which is alarming.
00:28It should be alarming to any of us.
00:31Thankfully it only takes a simple snip and that nylon line falls away.
00:39It's incredible how such a tiny bit of fishing line can cause so much damage.
00:47With the line removed, the vet flushes out the injury with an antiseptic solution.
00:53She administers an antibiotic to fend off any infection.
00:57And finally, she applies a thick layer of honey to the wound.
01:02We find that honey is actually a very good healing agent.
01:05It's very thick and sticky and it stays in the wound, especially in these aquatic animals.
01:11It kind of smothers the bacteria and doesn't allow bacteria to proliferate.
01:16Within days, Final Cut's injuries are starting to heal and he seems almost perky.
01:22Look, he got a new roommate!
01:25Now rescuers want to make sure he's eating enough to survive back out in the wild.
01:30So they test him with a roommate in a special pool called Quarantine Pool 6.
01:38Final Cut passes his final exam with flying colors.
01:48Since he's in such good shape, rescuers don't want to keep him at SeaWorld any longer.
01:53The goal is always to return these rescued animals as soon as they're ready.
02:00Final Cut stayed with us here at SeaWorld for only five days, which is great, which
02:04means that he was healthy and strong and was ready to be returned.
02:09Final Cut is loaded into a transport crate and placed aboard the SeaWorld boat named
02:14The Second Chance.
02:17Nine miles out to sea, where the fish he needs to survive are plentiful, rescuers open his
02:23crate.
02:28He shoots out and hits the water like a torpedo.
02:31You hope that this is the last time, but if he needs a third, fourth, fifth chance, if
02:37we have the ability, we will do it.
Comments