• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Sea Lion Tangled in Line: Predicament Seen at Monterey Pier

Posted on: Tuesday, 23 October 2007, 12:00 CDT

The suffering of a sea lion with fishing line constricting its glossy throat was a disturbing site for dozens of visitors at the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey last weekend.

"Tourists were pointing. They were horrified," said Sheila Gale of Monterey. She said she and about 25 others watched the animal on the boulders near the pier Sunday. Gale said its eyes seemed swollen and its neck was bulging on either side of what looked like a metal ring.

Last year, Gale reported what she believes was the same sea lion to the Marine Mammal Center in Moss Landing -- the only rescue group in the area permitted to capture them. Crews from the center could not catch it.

Gale said she believes the group should take more assertive actions to help sea lions in trouble, but a representative from the center's Monterey Bay operations said there are limits to what rescuers can do.

"I understand their frustration," said Sue Andrews. But Andrews said that entangled sea lions are dangerous. Many stay healthy, heavy and strong for months after getting snagged, she said.

When the venter can catch and rehabilitate a sea lion, said Andrews, it usually "heals up beautifully." But rescues often fail unless the animal is ill or weak from restricted breathing or eating.

Tranquilizing an injured sea lion to catch and nurse the animal back to health could backfire. A drugged sea lion might drown, said Andrews. And the center will not consider euthanizing suffering sea lions if the animal's survival "is not a lost cause," said Andrews. They kill captive animals that seem beyond aid, and avoid euthanizing in the wild.

If an entangled sea lion stays out of reach, "we end up taking the heat for not being able to catch the animal" said Andrews.

Sea lions run afoul of wires, fishing lines, and other choking materials fairly often, said Andrews. She believes Gale may have seen two different animals. Andrews received e-mails with photos of three different victims of entanglement on Monday.

Sea lions wind up in these scrapes because they are intelligent and curious, she said. About 12 percent of the center's sea lion cases this decade involved injuries from human causes like wires, oil spills or boats.

Andrews said people should always call the center to report marine mammal issues, even if the chances for rescue are limited. She recommends that people who want to help animals donate to the center or volunteer there.

The center operates with one paid staff member and relies on about 80 volunteers.

Gale said she understands these limits, but will continue to search for better suggestions and strategies. The sea lion's image haunts her.

"Nothing should have to suffer that much," she said.

For information, see www.marinemamalcenter.org  

Care for injured animals If you find a stranded marine mammal --Don't touch, pick up or feed the animal --Observe from a distance of at least 50 feet --Note physical attributes, including size, fur color and presence of external earflaps.

Also, note the animal's physical condition. --Call the Marine Mammal Center at 415-289-SEAL

Source: The Monterey County Herald (Monterey, Calif.)

More News in this Category