By Susan Gager

NEWPORT, Ore. -- Two new sea lion pups are making a splash at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

They arrived just two weeks ago and the aquarium says they're taking special care of the pups who were once stranded.

The aquarium has adopted two sea lion pups after the federal government deemed the pups unfit to enter back into the wild.

"They unfortunately were detected to be blind in one eye," said Jim Burke, Director of Animal Husbandry.

They were found stranded in southern California. Both of them were lethargic, malnourished, and dehydrated. One appears to have been born blind, the other, found with head trauma.

"Some external force hit that eye. It could have been anything really. Hard to say what might have done that," said Burke.

The two seal pups are now in quarantine viewable to most staff by a video monitor. Staff member are working with them, trying not only to get them ready to join the rest of the wildlife at the facility, but for the limelight that comes with it.

"They're in there acclamating them, getting them used to people. That's one of the biggest things," said Burke.

Right now, they've been quarantined to minimize the spread of any contagious diseases to humans or other life.

"They're taking the risk of being exposed. They wear gloves, they wear masks so if the animal coughs. It's kind of a dusk mask to keep any kinds of germs from spreading as a precautionary method," said Burke.

Though the sea lions have had rough beginnings, the aquarium promises life in the easy lane for those pups.

The aquarium expects the pups will be ready for regular viewing May 1. They are holding a naming contest for the pups in weeks to come.