A sea lion found repeatedly on a highway miles from the ocean may be suffering from a neurological issue. Experts are concerned about the animal's health and are working to capture it for treatment.
A sea lion that keeps showing up on the highway near Tofino might be injured or could be suffering from an ailment affecting its brain, says one of the country’s foremost pinniped experts. Dr. Martin Haulena, head veterinarian at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, has identified the animal as a male California sea lion, which looks malnourished, well under its normal weight.
It has turned up at least four times on Highway 4 several kilometres from the ocean after swimming up a river into freshwater Kennedy Lake on Dec. 29. The wayward sea lion has attracted international headlines and scores of social-media posts. RCMP and fisheries and conservation officers have been herding the sea lion back into the lake to prevent any collisions since it first appeared on the winding highway, which isn’t well lit at night. Over the weekend, a crew from the Vancouver Aquarium arrived to try to capture the sea lion for rehabilitation or possibly relocation. Haulena said in an interview that it would be rare for an animal like a sea lion to be lost. “Sea lions can move quite large distances, so they are pretty aware of where they are going,” he said, adding he’s worried something else might be going on with the animal. “There’s a large number of neurological reasons for an animal to be disorientated and in the wrong place.” He said the sea lion is “skinny,” weighing between 150 and 200 kilograms. A normal adult weighs between 250 and 300 kilograms. Haulena hopes his crews can tranquilize the sea lion and bring it back to the aquarium’s rehabilitation centre in Vancouver for diagnostic tests. Animals found wandering have sometimes been shot in the head or have suffered blunt trauma from a boat, said Haulena, adding they can also get cancers that can affect the brain. Biotoxins can affect how the brain works, while “any number of bacterial, viral and fungal infections” can infect sea lion brains as well, he sai
SEA LION INJURY BRAIN AILMENT VANCOUVER AQUARIUM REHABILITATION
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lost sea lion stuns commuters by waddling along Vancouver Island highway'Confused but also not surprised, it is the coast after all'
Read more »
Lost Sea Lion Returns to Highway 4 After Ocean TripA lost sea lion, previously rescued from Highway 4 near Kennedy Lake, has returned to the area following a week in the ocean. The sea lion was spotted wandering near the highway and taking dips in Kennedy Lake. The DFO is monitoring the situation and ready to assist if needed.
Read more »
Sea Lion Causes Traffic Delays on Highway 4A sea lion wandered onto Highway 4 near Tofino, BC, causing minor traffic delays.
Read more »
Sea Lion Causes Highway Shutdown in TofinoA stranded sea lion on the Pacific Rim Highway near Kennedy Lake outside Tofino, British Columbia, prompted a response from emergency crews this weekend. Photos on social media show RCMP and roadside crews on scene, alerting drivers to the animal found along the highway early Sunday morning. The sea lion, likely having entered Kennedy Lake via Staghorn Creek, was safely guided back to the water by the RCMP and Fisheries officers.
Read more »
Sea Lion Causes Traffic Delays on Highway 4A sea lion wandered onto Highway 4 several kilometers from the ocean, causing traffic delays and prompting a response from Tofino RCMP officers. The sea lion, likely disoriented after hunting in Kennedy River, was eventually escorted back to Kennedy Lake by DFO officers.
Read more »
Sea Lion Causes Traffic Delays on Highway 4A sea lion wandering onto Highway 4 near Tofino caused temporary traffic disruptions. The unusual incident saw the animal, likely venturing from Kennedy Lake, spend several hours on the roadway before eventually returning to its natural habitat.
Read more »