Pregnant Sea Lion Wanders Onto Carlsbad Golf Course

CARLSBAD, CA — A new golfer ventured onto the grounds of a Carlsbad golf course yesterday, and she wasn’t adhering to the dress code.

That’s because she was a sea lion.

A pregnant sea lion shocked golfers and staff Thursday at Carlsbad’s Omni La Costa Resort & Spa by wandering right onto the course. Video shows the sea lion waddling confidently across the course, which is located nearly three miles from the ocean.

Resort staff called the SeaWorld rescue team, who promptly arrived and managed to return the sea lion to the ocean. Staff told NBC 7 that SeaWorld workers told them pregnant sea lions often seek respite on land, and suspect this sea lion took advantage of the high tide to make it to the resort.

"We assume she traveled up the lagoon to get to the golf course and that the tide was high last night which could have gotten her to this location," a SeaWorld San Diego spokesperson told ABC 10. The spokesperson also said that the sea lion appeared to be in good health, and should return to the ocean to give birth.

In January, a sea lion showed up somewhere far riskier than the golf greens: the freeway. A sea lion made its way onto state Route 94 around Stockton, a full 8 miles away from the shore. CHP officers and SeaWorld animal handlers were able to remove the sea lion, which ventured into a nearby open area after crossing the freeway.