"A number of orphaned sea lion pups were recently washed up on the coast of Punta Colorada in Uruguay, prompting an immediate rescue response by the foundation 'SOS Fauna Marina'. For more than three decades, the foundation has been dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals. Footage captured on Thursday shows Founder and Director of 'SOS Marine Fauna Rescue', Richard Tesore, caring for and feeding dozens of sea lions. He can be seen attempting to establish a bond with them by making a type of growling sound. "Creating a bond with them is a challenge, I shout at them, and they respond in some way. It is what they do with the mother, maintaining contact mainly through the mouth," he explained. The 'SOS Marine Fauna Rescue' Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation mainly dedicated to protecting marine creatures that have been injured or are in danger along the Uruguayan coast, to later return them to their natural habitat. "It is a small rescue centre, we are about to turn 36 years old. We started in the 1990s. We dedicate ourselves to animal rescue, to spreading awareness of the problem above all and to trying to promote environmental awareness," said Tesore. He explained that the massive arrival of pups occurred after a strong 'sudestada', a meteorological phenomenon characterised by intense winds, rain and a rise in sea level, which dragged many newborn animals away from their mothers. "Many drowned. And some managed to reach the coast alive, and those are the ones we are working with," Tesore stated. Currently, the small rescue centre is housing 16 specimens undergoing rehabilitation, which require constant care after days of exposure to sun, cold and wind. The pups suffered dehydration after being washed up on the beach, making it essential to stabilise them. Despite his efforts, Tesore admits that not all of the creatures can be saved. "We assume a large percentage will not survive, but we are trying," he explained. 'SOS Marine Fauna Rescue' continues to receive support from volunteers and donors, while its veterinary teams and carers work tirelessly to give the sea lion pups the best possible chance of survival."