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Blind Sea Lions Make San Francisco Zoo Debut

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- Two blind sea lions saved from certain death in the wild are made their public debut at the San Francisco Zoo, including one that had been shot in the face.

The pair dove into their new exhibit Friday morning following months of rehabilitation.

An adult male nicknamed Silent Knight was found on a Sausalito beach in December with a gunshot wound to the face. The shooting had destroyed the adult male's right eye, and he could not see from his left eye.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

A young male nicknamed Henry was found starving on a Crescent City beach last May unable to see.

Both were treated at the Marine Mammal Center in Marin County.  Wildlife experts determined neither could survive back in the wild because of their blindness.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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