SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A sea lion pup rescued from the streets of San Francisco last week was found to be severely malnourished, weighing just half of his expected weight, according to an update from The Marine Mammal Center. Irving the California sea lion, named after where he was found wandering on April 16 near 48th and Irving streets, is estimated to be about 10 months old. According to the Center, the species typically stay with their mothers for the first year of life. “Not only is Irving small, but he is too young to be on his own,” TMMC wrote. Irving the California sea lion pup was found wandering the streets of San Francisco in the early morning hours of April 16, 2026. (Photo: Katie Young, The Marine Mammal Center) An exam of Irving found him weighing only 40 pounds, the Center said. Blood samples were drawn to determine if there are any underlying causes for the malnourishment. “As a skinny pup learning to forage on his own, Irving still has a long road to recovery at our hospital,” TMMC wrote. “Fortunately, he is active and quite feisty, which are positive behavioral signs for a sea lion pup.” Bay Area sees 7 dead gray whales in less than a month Irving is being tube-fed fish smoothies to recover his weight and hydration while in the Center’s Intensive Quarantine Unit. Animal care experts are hopeful that he will be able to move to a rehabilitation pool pen this week and begin transitioning to eating whole fish. ...read more read less