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Sea Lion Removal Expected to Resume Today by Staff The Columbian, April 28, 2008

State wildlife employees are scheduled to resume the removal of California sea lions today from just below Bonneville Dam.

Eight sea lions were removed Thursday, the first day of a federally approved plan to remove the salmon-eating pinnipeds.

A federal court ruled Wednesday that the sea lions could not be killed. Two of the ones caught last week were bound for Sea World; others will be hauled to the mouth of the Columbia River and freed.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the case next month and issue a ruling after the salmon season ends.

A state spokesman said the sea lions will be trapped today from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Since sea lions apparently stumbled upon the dam during 2001's big salmon run, up to 100 a day have been seen at the site during migration season. Watchers say the sea lions usually gulp down about seven salmon a day, or two more than human sport fishers are allowed to take home all year.