If you find an apparently abandoned sea lion or seal pup you're supposed to leave it alone, the mother should return. I learned that lesson back in 1965 when I was in high school and living in San Diego. My church group took a trip to Estero Beach, just south of Ensenada, where we surf fished and slept on the beach. We found a baby sea lion and everyone was worried—and wanted to take it to the zoo in San Diego. Someone finally drove over to Ensenada and talked to someone who said leave it alone— the mother will return, and she did.
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/sea...arbor-seal-pups-relocated-rescue-15531973.php
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/sea...arbor-seal-pups-relocated-rescue-15531973.php