the film forum library tutorial contact

Second Sea Lion Captured at Bonneville will be Killed by Scott Learn The Oregonian, March 13, 2009

A second salmon-munching sea lion captured by wildlife officials near Bonneville Dam will also be put down, state officials said today, after veterinarians found a contagious viral infection that prevents the animal from being transferred to a Chicago aquarium.

Necropsies are pending, but the viral infection appears to be the same as the sea lion killed by lethal injection Thursday, said Rick Hargrave, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

That animal was the first killed under an Oregon, Washington and Idaho program designed to reduce sea lion consumption of salmon listed under the Endangered Species Act.

The second sea lion, captured Wednesday, would have been transferred to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago if it received a clean bill of health.

It was on a list of 73 male California sea lions that habitually prey on endangered fish gathered at fish ladders below Bonneville, the first dam salmon hit on their way up the Columbia River.