SeaWorld San Diego reported Wednesday that specialists are taking care of 11 sea lions and six elephant seals affected by last week's oil pipeline rupture near Santa Barbara, after receiving two more of the marine mammals Tuesday night.
The animals were soaked as up to 105,000 gallons of oil spilled near Refugio Beach.
The latest arrivals — a sea lion and elephant seal — were hydrated after they arrived, had blood drawn and were examined by veterinarians. SeaWorld officials said their conditions have to be stabilized before the oil can be removed from their skin.
The 17 marine mammals at SeaWorld's Oiled Wildlife Care Center are all in guarded condition, according to SeaWorld. Two sea lions brought to the facility earlier did not survive.
Three members of SeaWorld's animal rescue team are at the beach to assist the Oiled Wildlife Care Network with affected marine life, and numerous other workers remained on standby.
