Young sea lion released in southern Lima

After several weeks of rehabilitation, a 9-month-old sea lion named Arthur was released into water in southern Lima on Sunday.

Peru's Organization for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Animals, or ORCA, brought the sea lion back to health after it was found ill in late October.

ORCA's director Carlos Yaipen said the young sea lion was suffering from a renal infection and kidney damage. Arthur's release has a special meaning for the activist since it's the first time a release is carried out off that island.

Arthur received medical care for two weeks to recover from malnutrition, liver dysfunction and a severe kidney infection. Following the oil spill on the central coast of Peru, young sea lions arriving from the south to feed themselves have suffered health problems.