El Morro students hold sale to aid sea lions

El Morro Elementary School third-graders sold Popsicles on campus Friday to raise money for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach.

The sale, called Pops for Pups, and other student-driven fundraisers have generated a total of $900 for the center, which has cared for an unprecedented number of malnourished and dehydrated sea lions this year.

Center staff will use the money to buy food and medicine for the animals, Director of Development Mary Beth Steen said.

As of Monday, the center was nursing 114 sea lions and 14 elephant seals.

Experts believe that warmer ocean temperatures and dwindling food sources have contributed to the strandings.

The Laguna Beach students read news articles about the center caring for the sick animals and suggested they do something to help, teacher Jamie Jameson wrote in an email.

The center is holding a separate fundraiser called Change the Life of a Seal. Students have until May 15 to collect money given to them by family members and friends or through activities such as garage sales. Prizes will be given to the top-earning classrooms.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce