A seemingly ordinary piece of shipping waste became a life-threatening ordeal after a sea lion's neck became entangled in a plastic packing band, according to CP24.
Here's what to know
In early August, the rescue team was notified that someone had spotted the 617-pound (280-kilogram) sea lion with a plastic band stuck around its neck, putting the animal's health at significant risk.
To stage a successful intervention, the team of rescuers had to wait for favorable weather conditions and then sedate the animal during the procedure.
The operation took place at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve near Metchosin, British Columbia. Once the team spotted the affected sea lion, Dr. Martin Haulena, the head veterinarian for the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, used a dart to sedate the animal, according to CP24.
The team then had to wait a number of minutes for the sedative to take effect, but, once it was safe to approach the sea lion, the rescuers were able to successfully remove the plastic band from around its neck.
While working on the animal, the team also tested the sea lion's blood, attached identification tags, and then stayed with the animal until the sedative wore off.
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The injury is likely to leave a scar, though the wound is expected to heal well, the rescuers said, per CP24.
More background
Entanglement is one of the clearest examples of how waste that escapes into the environment continues to pose a threat to wildlife long after it has been discarded by humans. For marine mammals, a band or loop around the neck can tighten as the animal grows, cut into tissue, restrict movement, and eventually make it harder to eat or swim.
The British Columbia sea lion rescue highlights just how complicated and resource-intensive interventions can be. In this case, the procedure had to be carried out in the field, on exposed coastal rock, with a wild animal under sedation. That kind of operation requires training, equipment, patience, and funding.
Where can I learn more?
Each of the following stories shows a different way in which human activity puts marine wildlife in danger, from discarded plastic to risky encounters on the water. They're also a reminder that avoiding the worst outcomes often depends on quick thinking and a fast response.
• Rescuers used drone footage to guide a dramatic Steller sea lion rescue from plastic waste.
• In Namibia, conservationists spotted sea puppies in dangerous tangles and intervened before plastic caused injuries.
• Off a fishing boat, fishermen tried to bait a wild sea lion and drew backlash.
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