GEARHART – For the second time in as many days, researchers were called Monday to the coast to necropsy a sea lion. And like the first, this one had also been shot.
That brings to about 20 the number of dead sea lions found in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington in just two months. Almost all bore clear evidence of gunshot wounds, others showed obvious trauma also likely caused by gunshots, said Dalin D'Alessandro, a Portland State University research assistant with the Northern Oregon-Southern Washington Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
"Since the beginning of April, we've seen a surge in both Stellar and California sea lions being shot," said D'Alessandro. The Stellar we had just yesterday had three bullets in the neck. This one, a California sea lion, was shot dorsally – mid back."
The sea lions have been found near the mouth of the Columbia River and a few miles north and south.
D'Alessandro believes the killing come at the hands of fishermen frustrated with the competition for their catch. It's typical to see a slight increase in the number of dead sea lions around the opening of salmon season, she said. But recent numbers are about four times what she usually sees in the same time period.
Jim Rice, Oregon Coast coordinator for the Marine Mammal Stranding Network believes the numbers be unprecedented in recent memory.
"Marine mammals have been protected since the early '70s," Rice said. "Prior to that there were actually bounties on the animals and they were hunted quite actively. It is certainly unprecedented within that time frame."
There is also concern that killings involve both Stellar and California sea lions. The population of California sea lions are much larger.
Stellar sea lions are on the threatened species list, said Rice. "It is brazen that these people will shoot these animals that are federally protected," said Rice. "It's really alarming."
He also suspects the controversy over the sea lions at the Bonneville Dam may be contributing to the shootings.
"The fact that it is something the state authorities are doing may give people the idea that is OK for them to shoot them, too," said Rice. "It is not OK."
– Lori Tobias
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