The hunt is on for a wayward sea lion who has been noticed a number of occasions on a Vancouver Island freeway.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) says the 135-kilogram (300-pound) male California sea lion has been noticed a number of occasions on Freeway 4 alongside Kennedy Lake, east of Ucluelet, since late December.
DFO marine mammal coordinator Paul Cottrell stated officers imagine the ocean lion swam into Kennedy Lake via an ocean drainage whereas in search of prey, and have become misplaced.
The ocean lion was final seen on Friday and Saturday, and has been usually showing at night time.
Sion Cahoon Veterinary technologist with Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre stated crews spent Sunday night time patrolling the freeway however had been unable to identify the animal.
“That would imply he has made it again to the ocean the place he’s presupposed to be, or it’s a giant lake,” she stated.
“He could possibly be wherever on any of the shores round right here.”
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Officers aren’t simply nervous concerning the sea lion’s security, however about risks on the highway as effectively.
“This can be a California sea lion that at night time is sort of darkish, and the animal has been proper on the freeway, and naturally, it’s a busy freeway … you’ll be able to have rain and fog, and so actually harmful for the animal and in addition for the motorists,” Cottrell stated.
“You’re coming round a few of these corners and you actually can’t see something, so think about there’s some huge animal in the midst of the highway, your intuition goes to be to swerve away from it, so you possibly can get into a extremely unhealthy accident,” added Cahoon.
Cottrell stated officers are additionally nervous concerning the animal’s situation. He has been shedding pounds and seems to be sustaining accidents from climbing up and down the rocky slopes from the lake to the freeway.
He added that there are fish within the lake, however that they’re possible inadequate to maintain the ocean lion.
Fisheries officers, the RCMP, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service and consultants from the Vancouver Aquarium are all within the space on the lookout for the animal.
However Cottrell stated they’ve been engaged in a “cat and mouse” recreation. The ocean lion has been popping up at quite a lot of totally different places alongside the freeway, and has been recognized to journey as much as a kilometre down the highway.
Fisheries officers imagine the ocean lion is attempting to make his means again to the ocean, however hasn’t been capable of finding the channel that connects to the ocean.
Officers are urging anybody driving within the space to decelerate and to maintain their eyes on the highway in case the ocean lion seems.
Cottrell can also be asking anybody who sees him to name the Marine Mammal Incident Hotline at 1-800-465-4336.
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