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 said.
Haulena said considering the sea lion’s malnourished appearance, it’s likely not eating or able to find food. As for why it keeps hauling out of the lake in the same place, it’s a mystery.
“As far as it crossing at a certain spot … is that just an easy place to come out of the lake? Is it hearing noises or seeing lights that might be attracting the animal to the highway? It’s really hard to tell,” said Haulena.
He said sea lions and harbour seals have been known to travel up rivers in B.C., but they’re usually able to find their way out again.
“There are a couple of exceptions to that and we have had animals that have got themselves stuck or decide to reside in some weird inland places, and those animals are candidates for relocation,” said Haulena.
A decision will have to be made about whether to tranquilize and capture the sea lion or simply herd it to the lake again, he said.
“There are logistical factors, so if it’s too dangerous to dart the animal then there might be good reasons to relocate the animal at first, and if it comes back, then bring it back in to the rescue facility,” said Haulena.
“There’s weather, there’s cars. I’m a bit worried about human safety because it’s on a dark highway with lots of turns.”
Officials are counting on the public for up-to-date information, so anyone who sees the sea lion is asked to call the DFO report line at 1-800-465-4336 as quickly as possible.
Haulena said the aquarium crew can’t stay on Highway 4 for too long.
“It’s tough for us because everyone who is out there has a job to do at the rescue centre,” said Haulena. “We can deploy for a shorter period of time, but not an extended period.”
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