A sea lion that was shot in Ucluelet died yesterday at the Vancouver Aquarium香蕉视频直播檚 Marine Mammal Rescue Centre.
The adult male Steller, named 香蕉视频直播楿kee香蕉视频直播� by the centre香蕉视频直播檚 staff, was discovered in Ucluelet on Oct. 10 and transported to the centre on Oct. 11. After roughly two weeks of treatment, the veterinary team made the difficult decision to euthanize the animal, according to a post on the centre香蕉视频直播檚 Facebook page Friday afternoon.
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香蕉视频直播淗e wasn香蕉视频直播檛 responding to treatment, and his condition had taken a significant downturn in the last two days,香蕉视频直播� said the aquarium香蕉视频直播檚 head veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena. 香蕉视频直播淎t this point we had to evaluate his quality of life. Although we are disappointed we couldn香蕉视频直播檛 return him to full health, we are glad we could end his suffering and make his final days more comfortable. I am so proud of the team for the incredible care they gave him.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播楿kee香蕉视频直播� was severely underweight at around 350 kilograms香蕉视频直播攈ealthy male Steller sea lions can reach around 800 kilograms香蕉视频直播攚hen he arrived at the centre. Veterinarians found at least one bullet lodged in the animal香蕉视频直播檚 skull and determined he had been blinded.
It is illegal to shoot a sea lion without a permit in Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is investigating.
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West Coast marine mammal researcher Wendy Szaniszlo told the Westerly News she was frustrated by Ukee香蕉视频直播檚 death and said many people believe sea lions compete with fishers.
香蕉视频直播淪ea lions are unpopular because it is perceived that they eat a lot of fish, specifically commercially targeted fish such as salmon,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淏ecause of that, they are seen as competition and likely some folks are maybe wanting to take it in their hands to try to limit any kind of fishery-sea lion interactions香蕉视频直播 find it very disheartening and frustrating too.香蕉视频直播�
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She added that 香蕉视频直播渢here is very little information香蕉视频直播� around what sea lions specifically prey on and said her own research suggests salmon is only one small part of a sea lion香蕉视频直播檚 diet.
香蕉视频直播淪almon is a portion of their diet, but it香蕉视频直播檚 not the biggest part of their diet and certainly not chinook salmon,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey are feeding on a wide variety of different types of fish as well as octopus and squid, it香蕉视频直播檚 not specifically chinook salmon.香蕉视频直播�
She added that she was happy to see so many community members come to Ukee香蕉视频直播檚 aide and report the distressed sea lion to the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-7325 and DFO at 1-800-465-4336.
香蕉视频直播淭he Vancouver Aquarium was able to rescue the animal and do what they could to help it and try to save it. It香蕉视频直播檚 just unfortunate it had the outcome that it did,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淭o me, it warms my heart that, while there are some people out there that truly dislike sea lions and are willing to cause them harm, there are many people out there that do like them and will do what they can to help rescue and rehabilitate them as well.香蕉视频直播�
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andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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