Animals are an antidote to many things, be it sadness or loneliness or simply the need to be entertained.
It's understood that first-hand experience is preferable, but if you have to go and steal a wild animal in the dark of night, you may be going too far and putting everyone involved at risk.
That's what four people in Los Angeles did early on Sunday at Dockweiler State Beach, according to witnesses and police. At around 3:20 a.m., they snuck up to a beached sea lion pup, wrapped it in a blanket and took off. An initial police report said it was a small seal, but it was later determined, based on a companion pup in the vicinity, that it was a sea lion.
Peter Wallerstein, president of the group Marine Animal Rescue, says this is a dangerous move. Even assuming the abductors thought the pup was in danger, they are dealing with an animal that can't be kept as a pet.
"The animal needs fluids, needs special treatments," Wallerstein said. "You can't just feed it dog food. It's not going to work."
The relationship between sea lions and humans can be positive and cooperative, but males are known to be fiercely territorial and have generated some negative publicity, according to sealion-world.com
L.A. police say an investigation is being conducted by the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In the meantime, the captors better hope the sea lion pup doesn't have a moment like this silverback gorilla did last week. They may not be nearly as big, but "lion" isn't a term thrown around for nothing. That or Wallerstein is an alarmist and it'll all be fine.
Check back for updates on this developing story.