Corps of Engineers 2009 Sea Lion Hazing Updates (links to Corp of Engineers Website)
Nov. 4, 2009: States' report on 2009 MMPA Section 120 removal actions
Apr. 17, 2009: Amendment to letter of authorization; updated list of sea lions authorized for removal (PDF 49KB)
Feb. 5, 2009, Necropsy Report Released: An investigation by NOAA’s Fisheries Service into the deaths last May of six sea lions trapped on two floating cages below Bonneville Dam found no evidence of human intervention, either intentional or accidental, in the closing of the cage doors. Once trapped, the animals likely became overheated and died of physical exertion or stress-induced heat prostration.
Nov. 25, 2008, Federal District Court Decision: Several non-governmental organizations filed a lawsuit in federal District Court in Oregon seeking to invalidate NOAA's decision to allow Washington, Oregon and Idaho to lethally removal California sea lions at Bonneville Dam. The plaintiffs claim NOAA’s decision to authorize the lethal removal of individually identifiable predatory sea lions violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act because NOAA failed to demonstrate that the sea lions are having a significant negative impact on the decline or recovery of listed salmonids. They also allege that NOAA violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. On Nov. 25, the court ruled in NOAA’s favor on all claims, (PDF 138KB) upholding NOAA’s approval under the MMPA and NOAA’s analysis under NEPA. The plaintiffs have 60 days to appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court.
May 14, 2008, Sea Lion Necropsies Point to Heat Prostration: NOAA Fisheries, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have reviewed necropsy findings on the four California and two Steller sea lions that died May 4th at Bonneville Dam. The findings for all six animals are consistent with death from heat prostration. More conclusive results may be available once studies of tissue samples taken from the dead animals are completed, in about 10 days. The investigation into the circumstances relating to the deaths of these animals continues. Necropsy reports and other documents associated with the investigation will be made public once the investigation has been completed.
May 7, 2008, Cause of Death for Six Seal Lions at Bonneville Unknown: NOAA’s Fisheries Service said today that the cause of death of six sea lions found on two traps at Bonneville Dam Sunday remains unknown. Preliminary results of a necropsy, conducted beginning late Sunday night and completed late Monday, found no evidence of recent gunshot wounds. The necropsies did identify numerous shallow puncture wounds in one animal that are consistent with sea lion bite marks.
An x-ray examination conducted yesterday identified metal fragments in soft tissue around the neck area of two of the animals. In addition, a metal slug was found in the blubber of one animal. However, neither the fragments nor the slug appear to have caused death, and may have been associated with old wounds.
The agency said it would continue its investigation to determine how the animals died and how the doors to the traps on which they were found could have been closed. Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964.
The agency said its agreement signed yesterday with the Humane Society of the United States (PDF 25KB) to suspend trapping and any lethal removal of sea lions from the Columbia River until next spring would allow it to make a full and complete presentation of its case to the district court and complete its investigation.
May 7, 2008, Report on Death During Health Screening: Animal Care Committee review of California sea lion B198 mortality during health screening (PDF 27KB)
May 6, 2008, Agreement on Lawsuit: Parties to the lawsuit over the MMPA waiver for authority to remove California sea lions reached an agreement and submitted a joint stipulation and proposed schedule for the Court’s approval. (PDF 25KB)
