Unfortunately, none of the rescue attempts were successful. All appear to be entangled with packing straps or fishing line, or have fishing lures hooked on their heads. The Marine Mammal Center will attempt a rescue if conditions permit. Rescuing them is much more dangerous compared to rescuing smaller and more debilitated sea lions Each year, we recognize individual sea lions that return, from tags on their front flippers or distinctive scars. Sea lions with numbers branded on their sides, or red or yellow tags, were marked by researchers.
Orange tags indicate rehabilitated sea lions.
The tag number tells us whether it was a patient at The Marine Mammal Center or one from another rehabilitation facility. Bingo had a gill net under his chin, cutting so deep that it severed his trachea. After surgery at The Marine Mammal Center, he successfully recuperated and was released in August, 1992. The first confirmed sighting of Bingo at PIER 39 was February, 1993. He is frequently recognized by the distinctive scar under his neck and the orange tags.