Last Sea Lions Affected by Santa Barbara Oil Spill Released Into Ocean

A group of seven sea lions, including three affected by a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, were released into the ocean on Sept. 18, 2015. (Credit: KSWB)

by: Tracy Bloom

Posted: Sep 21, 2015 / 07:31 AM PDT

Updated: Sep 21, 2015 / 12:14 PM PDT

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The last three sea lions affected by a massive oil spill near Santa Barbara were released back into the ocean on Friday, according to KTLA sister station KSWB.

The marine mammals were sent to SeaWorld San Diego for care after pipeline ruptured at Refugio State Beach on May 19, spilling up to 143,000 gallons of thick black crude along the Santa Barbara County coastline and prompting a monthslong closure of the beach.

On Friday — nearly four months to the day of the spill — the sea lions were taken to Border Field State Park in Imperial Beach, KSWB reported.

They were then released with four others that were brought in from San Diego-area beaches, according to the television station.

One of the sea lions was tagged with a satellite transmitter, which will allow scientists to continue to track its movements.