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)
