On September 17th, our team responded to a Steller sea lion entangled in a packing strap near the Plumper Islands, close to Telegraph Cove, BC.
The male sea lion was first spotted with the entanglement back in March. However, since sea lions move around and aren’t always hauled out in the same area, responding can be challenging. With this animal consistently seen in the same location, we were able to coordinate a response with the multiple teams involved.
Disentangling a large, wild animal like this is no easy task-it requires precision and expertise.
Our veterinarian used a specialized dart gun to deliver a calculated dose of sedative which allowed our team to safely approach and help the sea lion without causing distress.
Thankfully, we were able to remove the deeply embedded packing strap, tag the animal, and reverse the sedation, sending him back into the ocean free from harm.
We would like to extend a massive thank you to the community of Port McNeill and @mersociety for continuously reporting sightings of the animal, as well as to Fisheries and Oceans Canada for partnering with us in this rescue operation, and providing licensed authorization and guidance.
This rescue highlights the urgent issue of ocean pollution, as plastic waste, like packing straps, poses a deadly threat to marine life.