Rescue in the works for B.C. sea lion with thick plastic band around its neck
VICTORIA — Members of British Columbia’s marine mammal network are mobilizing to help a sea lion with a plastic packing band wrapped tightly around its neck.
The creature was spotted last week in the Cowichan Bay area of southeastern Vancouver Island, where hundreds of sea lions have gathered to feed on spawning salmon.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada marine mammal co-ordinator Paul Cottrell says the team was notified several days ago and monitored the sea lion to ensure it will stay in the area.
A veterinarian with the Vancouver Aquarium has now been contacted and will work with fisheries officials to tranquilize the animal and cut off the band, possibly within the next week.