An off-duty Brisbane officer on his way to work Friday spotted the sea lion crossing the roadway and heading toward busy U.S. Highway 101, according to police.
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The officer used his personal vehicle to help slow traffic and call for police reinforcements. Officers kept the sea lion -- whom they named Sierra -- from waddling into traffic or onto the freeway while awaiting specialists from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito.
The animal experts had been trying to locate the sea lion for several days after sightings near Coyote Point in San Mateo and nearby shoreline areas, police said.
The Marine Mammal Center took the sea lion to its hospital for treatment and rehabilitation, with the goal of being released back into its natural environment, police said.
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Police urged the public not to attempt to handle, feed, move or approach marine wildlife in distress.
"Wild marine mammals can become stressed, injured, or unpredictable when approached by the public, causing safety concerns for both the animal and humans," police said.
Anyone encountering marine wildlife is urged to maintain a safe distance of at least 50 yards and contact the Marine Mammal Center at (415) 289- 7325.