A sea lion turned up in the middle of a roadway near Breakwater Avenue in Hayward on Thursday afternoon, and police and animal control officers kept it safe until the Marine Mammal Center could help, NBC Bay Area and KRON4 reported.
Why it matters: It was an unusual stop for Hayward officers, who called in the Marine Mammal Center to take over care of the animal.
What happened
Hayward police said they got a report at 12:42 p.m. of a seal in the middle of the road near Breakwater Avenue. Officers and the city's Animal Control Services responded, NBC Bay Area reported.
They made sure the animal stayed safe until the Marine Mammal Center could take over, authorities said. KRON4 reported that officers got the animal off the road safely. Police said officers also "shared playful moments" with the sea lion while they waited, according to NBC Bay Area.
Early reports from the department described the animal as a seal. NBC Bay Area identified it as a sea lion.
Who helps
The Marine Mammal Center, based in Sausalito, rescues and cares for stranded and injured marine mammals. Police did not say where the animal was taken after the handoff.