Sea lion rescued in Powell River suffered for weeks after being hit by crossbow
Credit to Author: Stephanie Ip| Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2019 23:49:55 +0000
A California sea lion struck by a crossbow had likely been suffering for weeks before being rescued in Powell River earlier this week.
The male sea lion was found with a massive puncture wound, suffering dehydration and, at 250 kilograms, was underweight after not being able to forage due to the massive bolt protruding from its lower back.
“It’s heart-breaking to find an animal in this state,” said Martin Haulena, head veterinarian with the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. “It’s unacceptable to be harming wildlife like this.”
Haulena’s team, along with a team from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, was called to Power River on Tuesday where the sea lion was found out on a log boom at a mill.
VANCOUVER, B.C.: NOVEMBER 26, 2019 – Archie, a male California sea lion was found Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019 injured due to a crossbow, near a log boom in Powell River, B.C. He has since been transported to the Vancouver Marine Mammal Rescue Centre for treatment.
The emaciated and lethargic sea lion was rescued with the help of boat operator Archie Kenmuir and his team at Jepson Mobile Booming, who helped Haulena and others get close enough to the log boom to sedate and retrieve the sea lion. As a result, the sea lion has been named Archie as a thank you to Kenmuir.
“It was truly an epic rescue. There is no other way to describe it,” said Emily Johnson, assistant manager with the rescue centre.
Archie has since been brought to Vancouver to be treated with antibiotics, fluids and medication for the puncture wound. The sea lion had been injured long enough that the flesh around his wound had become necrotic.
Initial examination shows Archie may have also previously suffered injuries to his vision from possible gunshots.
Archie is the third sea lion in less than three years to be rescued from human-caused injuries. Two other sea lions – one rescued in May 2017 from Spanish Banks and another last October from Vancouver Island – were rescued after being shot in the head and blinded.
Anyone who spots a marine mammal in distressed is asked to stay back and call the rescue centre at 604-258-7325.
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VANCOUVER, B.C.: NOVEMBER 26, 2019 – Archie, a male California sea lion was found Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019 injured due to a crossbow, near a log boom in Powell River, B.C. He has since been transported to the Vancouver Marine Mammal Rescue Centre for treatment.
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