The sea lion, of a species not uncommon in B.C. waters, was spotted off the coast of Salt Spring Island by locals and it was noted that he was lethargic and was staying in one place. He was rescued and brought to the Vancouver Aquarium by the aquarium, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Salt Spring’s Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre.
“We had several reports of a male sea lion in distress on Salt Spring through the weekend,” Dr. Martin Haulena, the head veterinarian at the Vancouver Aquarium said before the rescue was affected. “From the photographs we got…he’s in very poor condition: very, very thin. I can see his ribs, his spine.”
He added that the seal had suffered “massive weight loss.”
Dr. Haulena, who took part in the rescue efforts, said that the adult male, between five and seven years old, is being cared for by the veterinary staff at the Aquarium. They are doing all they can to help the sea lion survive but it is quite ill and they cannot put the mammal under too much stress until it is stronger.
“The animal is in such poor condition that now is not the time to perform potentially stressful medical procedures,” he said. “But without that diagnostic information, you can’t target your treatment.”
He said they were in “a tricky situation” and are hoping the sea lion will stabilize so they can examine him further. They cannot, Dr. Haulena said, say as yet if the sea lion will survive.
