A San Francisco sea lion who had been tangled in plastic at Pier 39 was released into the wild after a successful rehabilitation at the Marine Mammal Center on Thursday.

Blonde Bomber, as the sea lion was named, was first rescued with a seven-inch loop of plastic packing strip around his neck.

But on Thursday, Bomber returned to the ocean as healthy as ever, stopping at the waves to give his rescuers one last nod.

"It's a happy day for Blond Bomber for sure," said a rescuer. "His luck has changed."
Source

Special thanks to rescue team:

Dr. Bill Van Bonn – staff veterinarian
Geno DeRango – stranding coordinator
Stan Jensen – trained rescue volunteer
Ernie Hirose – trained rescue volunteer
Rusty Rosenburg - trained rescue volunteer
Sue Hawley - trained rescue volunteer
Sophie Guarasci, veterinary technician
Cinzia Centellegh, James Steeil, Tricia Fleming, Julia Underwood (all externs studying with us)
Courtney Lamar and Neha Gidvani - education outreach
Marine Mammal Center
 
See photos and videos of the rescue below: