Sea lion saved by Huntington Beach police dies

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A choking sea lion who was rescued by four Huntington Beach police officers Friday night has died from deep cuts to its breathing tube, according to volunteer rescues at Pacific Marine Mammal Life in Laguna Beach.

The wounded sea lion was found in the surf line at Tower 2 Friday around 10:30 p.m. The sea lion had fishing line wrapped around his neck, according to a statement on the Huntington Beach Police Department's Facebook page.

"His neck was deeply cut by a snagged fishing line and he was struggling to breathe," according to the statement. "Four officers spent a half hour trying to help the sea lion, that they affectionately named Sparky."

The officers eventually tackled the struggling seal and wrapped him up tightly with a blanket.

"They were able to cut the fishing line using a seatbelt cutter and freed Sparky," according to the police report.

The wounded sea lion stayed near the shore, and was captured by rescue center workers at 11 a.m. Saturday. He died two hours later.

CNS contributed to this report.