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Sea Lion Shot In Face, Left For Dead 5 Years Ago Becomes A Father At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

VALLEJO (CBS SF) -- A sea lion that almost lost its life five years ago after being shot in the face and left for dead has now created life - siring a sea lion pup of his own.

The 800-pound sea lion nicknamed 'Sgt. Nevis'  by his rescuers is the father of 11-day-old Pebbles, born at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo.

Sgt. Nevis was found with giant holes blasted in its face and underwent reconstructive facial surgery. The sea lion recovered but lost its sense of smell.

The loss of that much-needed sense didn't deter him from figuring out how to breed, according to park officials. "He wouldn't have an interest in breeding because he wouldn't recognize when the females are in season," said Director of Animal Care Michael Muraco.

Somehow Sgt. Nevis figured it out.  Park officials say Pebbles is nursing vigorously and growing strong.

Pebbles' birth is significant because the male who is thought to be her father was famously shot in the face by a fisherman in the Sacramento River in 2009.

Sgt. Nevis endured a lengthy rehabilitation at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito before being brought to Six Flags in 2010.

"If he had not been rescued, he would not have survived in the wild because the severity of his wound affected his ability to dive for fish and fend for himself," Muraco said in a statement.

Muraco said Sgt. Nevis is the first sea lion to have reconstructive facial surgery. Because he had suffered several shotgun blasts to his face, Sgt. Nevis was unable to dive or put his head under water.

Park officials said they are 98 percent sure Sgt. Nevis is the pup's father. There are several other males in the exhibit, so Muraco said a DNA test would be done to confirm that he is the sire.

The new father is the largest sea lion in the group, and park officials say he has fully integrated into his permanent home and has a larger-than-life personality, which has charmed the park's guest and staff.

Pebbles and her protective mother can be viewed cuddling with each other on the beach at the park's Seal Cove exhibit.

California sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, making it illegal to hunt or harass any marine mammal in U.S.  waters.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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