Scientists say an usually high number of starving sea lion pups have washed up on Southern California beaches this year.
An average of 45 sea lions are rescued off the coast of California every January. This year, that number jumped to 940.
Biologists say it's a trend that could get worse.
The California Marine Mammal Stranding Network noticed the increase in California sea lion pup strandings in December and January. That number has increased and intensified over the last few weeks, according to a report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Experts say the new rescues are like walking skeletons. The sea lions are washing ashore, weighing 10 pounds less than their average birth weight. Rehabilitation facilities are aiming to blubber them up to at least 60 pounds.
