Category Archives: Archived Video

Plastic band removed from neck of Greater Victoria sea lion

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From The Goldstream Gazette A Marine Mammal Rescue Centre veterinarian removes a plastic packing band from the neck of a Stellar’s sea lion at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve on Sept. 10. (Courtesy of Mara Radawetz)

Plastic band removed from neck of Greater Victoria sea lion

Entanglement injuries in seals and sea lions a regular occurrence at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

  • Sep. 10, 2020 12:00 a.m.
  • NEWS

A sea lion trapped in human garbage has a second chance at life thanks to the sharp eye of a lighthouse-dwelling ‘ecoguardian’ at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve near Metchosin.

Mara Radawetz and Kai Westby, who live in the island’s lighthouse tower and monitor the reserve on behalf of Pearson College, called in back-up support when Radawetz spotted a California sea lion with a plastic packing band tightly bound around its neck on Sept. 1.

Over the days that followed, the duo spotted the animal again and watched it expressing clear discomfort as a result of the appendage.

“We could see that it was suffering, he would continually scratch at the infected area on his neck,” Westby said. “It had cut through his skin and created a kind of swollen, wet wound.”

The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (MMRC), assisted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, responded to the call for help, but it would be a few days before the rescue could arrive by boat.

Fortunately, the rescue team arrived Sept. 10 and Radawetz was able to again spot the injured sea lion using a high-powered magnification lens from the top of the lighthouse, where the duo does a daily count of the island’s furry, feathered and blubbery visitors, which typically number in the thousands.

READ ALSO: Sooke Whale Watching spots a huge gathering of whales

“Being able to have that eye in the sky was instrumental in being able to successfully help this animal,” Westby said.

With a bird’s eye view, the pair guided MMRC veterinarian Martin Haulena to an area where he could prepare a dart gun with a tranquillizer. Rescue staff aided from the water and land, watching as Haulena crawled over the rocks and got into position, successfully tranquillizing the sea lion.

A sea lion that had a plastic band removed from its neck at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve wakes up from sedation.(Courtesy of Mara Radawetz)

In addition to removing the plastic band, the vet installed a tracking device and took a blood sample.

Radawetz and Westby said they see a sea lion or harbour seal with an injury due to human impact roughly once a week – and many of those animals don’t have a happy ending.

“We often see not only plastic entanglements but fishing line injuries on the sea lions and the harbour seals,” Radwetz said. The pair said they often see pinnipeds – seals, sea lions and walruses – that have swallowed a fish still on a fishing line, a meal that can cost the animal its life.

“It’s not always possible for us to help them,” Radawetz said.

While one lucky sea lion was able to swim free, Westby and Radawetz hope the incident resonates with people.

Westby added, “I really hope by sharing some of what we see here we can remind people that their actions have impacts and we are seeing those impacts here in Race Rock.”

In September 2019, a sea lion with almost identical injuries was rescued at the Race Rock Ecological Reserve. That animal had a plastic band embedded roughly two inches into its neck.

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READ ALSO: Steller sea lion with plastic around neck rescued on Vancouver Island

Returning Sun, Census

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Weather: 

  • Visibility 15-20 NM
  • Sky partly cloudy clearing to blue sky
  • Wind 15-20 Knots W
  • Sea state: calm, rippled

Visitors/Marine Traffic:

  • No visitors
  • Yesterday we spotted a group of kayakers who had emailed to let us know they were coming: We tried to wave, but you were too far away to see us- hope you had a good paddle!

Ecological: 

  • The seagull population has skyrocketed this week, but still no fully constructed nests
  • The elephant seals have left now, aside from one. We anticipate that we may see a few large males in a month or so.

Census: 

  • 16 Geese
  • 8 Oystercatchers
  • 39 Sea Lions
  • 40 Harbor Seals
  • 1 Elephant Seal
  • 1 Bald Eagle
  • 580 Seagulls
  • 42 Pigeon Guillemots

Tagged Elephant Seal Resight Histories

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The following resight histories were provided by Dr. Patrick Robinson, Director of Año Nuevo Reserve in California. The five elephant seals listed are presently at Race Rocks.

Animal: 48288, tags: GD019R-iu-So,GD018L-ol-So                  
Season 2017                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GD019 0 48288 297540 2017-02-01 AP         P UK   C. Casey
GD019 0 48288 298632 2017-02-09 BBS         W     B. McDonald
GD019 0 48288 298988 2017-02-11 BBS         W M   P. Morris
GD019 0 48288 299787 2017-02-15 BBSU         W M   P. Morris
GD019 0 48288 301742 2017-02-23 BBS GD019R-iu-So,GD018L-ol-So THIS IS THE SECOND 30C, THE FIRST ONE WAS WEIGHED AT NP W M 5 C. Nasr
Season 2019                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GD019 1 48288 330944 2018-04-19 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GD018 Observed by Laas Parnell    juv     other
GD019 2 48288 330943 2019-04-09 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GD018 Observed by Laas Parnell   juv     other
Season 2020                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GD019 3 48288 335337 2019-12-14 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GD018 Observed by Laas Parnell    juv     other
GD019 3 48288 335420 2019-12-29 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GD019R,GD018L-ol-So reported by Nick Townley (eco-guardian)  juv     other
GD019 3 48288 347129 2020-04-01 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GD018L-ol-So,GD019R-i Observed by Race Rocks ecoguardian Nick Townley and confirmed with photo. Seal is in great body condition but fur/skin is in poor condition. SA1 M   other
GD019 3 48288 347638 2020-04-12 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GD018,GD019 Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)  juv   0 other
                           
                           
Animal: 49134, tags: GE103R-ou,GE135R-il-si                  
Season 2018                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GE103 0 49134 313030 2018-02-05 NP0N   With G7644, Card # 548, but not her original pup. It was raised jointly by G9454 and G7644 after G7644 lost her own pup. P     P. Morris
GE103 0 49134 313518 2018-02-06 NP0N   Is with female 9454 but female 7644 is squabbling with her trying to reach the pup. This is a separate pup from the one marked 76 on LSh. Also has 2 blotches on top of its shoulders, P     P. Morris
GE103 0 49134 314153 2018-02-09 NP1   nursing from female 9454 but 7644 was near P     P. Robinson
GE103 0 49134 314987 2018-02-13 NP0   With Female G7644, Card # 548. It remains to be seen if this is the same pup that is marked 644 L and blotches on top of its shoulder. 6 is backwards, mark almost on ventral side P     T. Keates
GE103 0 49134 315582 2018-02-15 NP0   looks like it could be with either G7466 or G9454 P     R. Holser
GE103 0 49134 316021 2018-02-17 NPG0   This is FOR SURE the pup of 9454 and not 7644. The pup of 7644 is 76. This is one of my study pups that has been adopted by 7644. W     J. Linossier
GE103 0 49134 316052 2018-02-19 NP GE103R-ou One of Juliette Linossier’s study animals W     C. Casey
GE103 0 49134 316341 2018-02-20 NP0S       also 644 L W F   P. Morris
GE103 0 49134 316497 2018-02-22 NP GE103L-ou-So   also has 476? on belly W     T. Keates
GE103 0 49134 316665 2018-02-23 NP GE103R-ou-Si     Noticed marks on L and R, but could not read them. W     R. Cuthbertson
GE103 0 49134 316693 2018-02-23 NP GE135R-il-si,GE103L-ou-si Juiliette study animal. genetic sample AF00375791 database has disagreement on placement of GE103 also 476 on the right and the 6 is backwards W F 25 L. Johansen
Season 2019                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GE103 0 49134 318448 2018-04-17 BBSL GE135R,GE103L-ou-Si     W   100 Robinson class
GE103 0 49134 318974 2018-04-17 BMB GE103L-ou-Si,GE135R-il-Si Cathy Debier 4x blubber biopsy original tag location for GE103 was incorrect W F 100 P. Robinson
Season 2020                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GE103 2 49134 334454 2019-09-07 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GE103L-ou Observed by Mara Radawetz @ Race Rocks Colony Confirmed by photograph. Seal looks healthy and in good body condition juv     other
GE103 2 49134 334574 2019-10-01 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GE103 reported by Laas Parnell    juv     other
GE103 2 49134 334575 2019-10-11 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GE103       juv F   other
GE103 2 49134 346669 2020-03-23 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GE103L-ou,GE135R-il reported by Nick Townley and confirmed with photo juv   0 other
GE103 2 49134 347639 2020-04-12 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GE103,GE135 Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)  juv   0 other
                           
Animal: 52226, tags:                        
Season 2020                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
    52226 346670 2020-03-23 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada PT563,PT562 reported by Nick Townley and confirmed with photo ad F 0 other
Season 2021                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
    52226 347640 2020-04-12 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada PT562,PT563 Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian) ad F 100 other
                           
Animal: 50727, tags: GE779R-iu-so,GG512L-ol-si                  
Season 2019                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GE779 0 50727 329337 2019-02-20 NP3         P     C. Casey
GE779 0 50727 329365 2019-02-23 NP3         W     M. Emard
GE779 0 50727 329392 2019-02-23 NP3 GE779R-iu-so       W     P. Robinson
GE779 0 50727 329711 2019-02-24 NPG3         W     E Levy
Season 2020                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GE779 0 50727 330651 2019-03-12 NPD GG512L-ol-si,GE779R-iu-so     W M 99 P.Robinson
GE779 1 50727 347641 2020-04-12 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GG512R,GE779L Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)  juv     other
                           
Animal: 48066, tags: GC887R-iu-So                    
Season 2017                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GC887 0 48066 298641 2017-02-09 BMC         P     B. McDonald
GC887 0 48066 298732 2017-02-10 BMS         W     T. Barclay
GC887 0 48066 298955 2017-02-11 BMC         P     P. Morris
GC887 0 48066 299024 2017-02-12 BMS         P     M. Voisinet
GC887 0 48066 300206 2017-02-21 BMN         W     T. Russell
GC887 0 48066 300244 2017-02-21 BMC         W     E Levy
GC887 0 48066 300257 2017-02-21 BMC GC887R-iu-So     W     R. Holser
GC887 0 48066 300557 2017-02-22 BMC         W     P. Morris
GC887 0 48066 302743 2017-03-10 BBNS GC887R       W     P. Morris
Season 2019                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GC887 2 48066 330772 2019-03-26 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GC887R-iu-So Also reported present at Race Rocks in December 2017 and December 2018. juv M   other
Season 2020                        
OrigTag Age AnimalID ResightID Date Area Tags Read Comment TagComm MarkComm Age Sex Mlt Observer
GC887 3 48066 335252 2019-12-07 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GC887       juv M   other
GC887 3 48066 347642 2020-04-12 Race Rocks, B.C. Canada GC887R Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)  M   other

Seal Studies and Helicopters

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We received a response from the scientists who had tagged the elephant seal mentioned and pictured in this previous post. They were able to share some interesting information about GE103, whom we nicknamed Eric. GE103 was part of a mother and pup interaction study, as well as the subject of a blubber biopsy study.

 

“Eric”, GE103

Juliette Linossier, a researcher working under a Fyssen grant at UC Santa Cruz/Año Nuevo Reserve, was able to tell us more about the early life of this animal and others. She told us that shortly after the birth of another elephant seal (GE338), there was a huge storm at Año Nuevo and GE338 was separated from it’s mother. The pup was stuck on the beach, and his mother in an protected elevated area. They called to each other for a long while, but were never able to return to each other. GE338 did survive but was nursed by another female in the colony.

The now ’empty nest’ mother of GE338 became attached to GE103! She nursed him, and stayed close to him and his mother, G9474. Thus, GE103 (or as we call him, Eric) was able to take advantage of more than one milk source as a pup; the two mothers even fought over him from time to time.

According to her bio, Juliette wants to investigate the link between allonursing and maternal cognitive abilities using new approaches. Using time-lapse photography, chemical profiles and other techniques she plans to look at variables such as maternal age, pup similarity, genetic connection, spacial proximity and more to further understand what drives allonursing in these interesting creatures. Thanks for sharing, Juliette!

GE103’s blubber biopsies were taken for the purpose of furthering the understanding of pollutants bioaccumulating in marine mammals. Read more about this subject here.

Many thanks to Patrick Robinson, director of Año Nuevo Reserve and lecturer at UC Santa Cruz, for helping us learn more about this work.

We left Race Rocks last Monday (October 30th), and hours before leaving we were surprised by the landing of a Bell 412EPI Coast Guard helicopter. They came to Race Rocks in order to replace the solar battery bank beside the foghorn (near the base of the lighthouse). We were able to get great video of them landing as well as taking off!

Unfortunately, as one can see at the left of the video the landing scared many sea lions off of the rock in a rush. Without knowing that they were coming we had no chance to gently move any vulnerable animals away from the helicopter pad. We were able to speak with someone at the college about this, and the Coast Guard will hopefully be able to better work with Race Rocks in the future to ensure the safety and comfort of the animals.

The pilot was kind enough to take a moment to show us around and allow us to take some pictures. He explained that a smaller helicopter could have been landed near the house, but the 412EPI’s cargo capacity (over 6000lbs) was needed to transport the batteries. The helicopter is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6T-9 turboshaft engine that makes over 2000hp (about 1500kW), and it’s made in Canada!

We enjoyed our time at Race Rocks (a big thanks to everyone who supported us during our term), and hope to return and continue this work protecting and observing the fragile ecosystems and the animals within. Until next time!

Steller sea lion with plastic around neck rescued on Vancouver Island

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From The Goldstream Gazette BC LOCAL NEWS

Sep. 22, 2019 12:00 a.m.
PHOTOS: Steller sea lion with plastic around neck rescued on Vancouver Island

Rescue staff determined the plastic band cut the protected animal’s neck approximately two inches

A Steller sea lion is recovering after being disentangled from a piece of plastic that cut its neck approximately two inches.The male sea lion, weighing approximately 500 kilograms, was reported to the Vancouver Aquarium marine mammal rescue centre team after it was seen near Sooke with a plastic packing band wrapped tightly around its neck.Rescue staff, along with officers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and a veterinarian from the SeaDoc Society, joined forces Monday at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve to rescue the animal, which is protected in Canada as a species of special concern under the federal Species at Risk Act.

Rescue staff joined forces with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the SeaDoc Society to disentangle the sea lion at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. (SeaDoc Society photo)

Since Race Rocks is made up of rough terrain and has strong currents, it took hours of jockeying positions for Martin Haulena, the head veterinarian at the aquarium, to dart and sedate the sea lion. Haulena did this from a distance using an air-powered dart containing immobilization agents.

Over the past two decades, Vancouver Aquarium head veterinarian Martin Haulena has helped develop a precise drug combination to ensure that sea lions can be safely freed, without harming itself or others. (SeaDoc Society photo)

The sea lion entered the water after being darted, which Lindsaye Akhurst, manager of the aquarium’s rescue centre said is a common response. Then, with the help of Race Rocks Eco-Guardians in the lighthouse acting as “eyes in the sky,” the team was able to spot the sea lion in some kelp and remove the plastic band that had cut into the animal’s neck approximately 2 inches.

Once the sedated sea lion was located in the water, the rescue team discovered that while the top of the plastic band was still slightly mobile, the bottom, or ventral portion, had cut into the animal’s neck approximately two inches. (SeaDoc Society photo)

A release from Ocean Wise said “the depth and severity of the wound indicated that the plastic had been there for some time.”

In between darting attempts, the Vancouver Aquarium marine mammal rescue team had to pause rescue efforts due to the presence of Southern resident killer whales from J and K pods. (SeaDoc Society photo)

Team members tagged the sea lion’s flippers so if there are further reports about it rescuers will be able to identify the animal.

READ MORE: Entangled humpback calf rescued off west coast of Vancouver Island

To date, rescue centre staff have rescued over 20 entangled sea lions.

B.C. surveys have documented hundreds more entangled sea lions in recent years, the release said, with some of the worst plastic offenders being ghost gear, including nets and ropes, and discarded trash such as the plastic packing bands used in packaging and shipping, which ensnare animals.

Not only are plastic items uncomfortable for marine mammals, Akhurst said, but the sea lions continue to grow while the plastic around them does not, which sometimes results in death.

READ MORE: Brand new vessel for Massett Marine Rescue

Akhurst said Ocean Wise is working with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada on a stronger disentanglement program that specifically targets pinnipeds, a group that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses.

In late fall, a multi-day outing is planned that will focus on this problem on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

READ MORE: Sea lion tangled in rope on Vancouver Island

If you see a marine mammal that you believe is in distress, stay back, keep people and pets away, and call the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-SEAL (7325), or the Fisheries and Oceans Canada hotline at 1-800-465-4336.

karissa.gall@blackpress.ca

Sea Lion Rescued from Plastic Entanglement

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A team comprised of the DFO and Vancouver Aquariums Marine Mammal Rescue (MMR) came out to Race Rocks on September 16th to help the entangled sea lions we’ve spotted over the last few weeks. Leaving from Pedder Bay at 0900, they arrived in two RHIBs at the reserve shortly after. After observing the struggling animals over the last while and communicating information with MMR, they were a welcomed sight.

Right away we spotted three possibly entangled sea lions from the lighthouse (unfortunately none of these three being the animals we photographed previously). We then landed the team of vet techs and veterinarian Marty at the jetty to assess the situation. It was decided that one of the sea lions resting by the water between the guest house and the helicopter pad was our best rescue candidate.

Marty and a videographer from Vancouver Aquarium approached over the helicopter pad from the direction of ‘Camera 5’. They got into position and a shot was taken, but the tranquilizer dart bounced and the sea lion fled into the water.

From the lighthouse we were able to follow its movements and keep the team apprised by radio. There was uncertainty about whether or not it received a partial dose of the tranquilizer as it floated in strange positions/patterns. Moving around Race Rocks to the water beside the solar panel/generator building, it hauled out again and another shot at it was lined up from one of the boats. The angle wasn’t quite right, and it again fled into the ocean and couldn’t be spotted. It was around 1400, and everyone took a break to have some food.

After this, everyone considered calling it off as it was getting late and we couldn’t locate the animal. At the last moment, with both boats ready to head back to Pedder Bay, it was spotted from the lighthouse (resting on the rock mound on the NW point of Great Race Rock)! Tranquilizing was attempted from water, but the dart bounced again and landed in the water and was recovered. Here’s a short video of that:


After that, it ended up too far from the water to try another shot by boat, so in a final effort the one boat landed Marty and the team again while the other stayed on the water to support. With no cover available between him and the animal, Marty had no choice but to crawl about one hundred feet in order to take the shot.

We were able to capture the following footage of the sea lion being darted, going into the water, and then after a tense 20 minutes during which a pod of transient orcas appeared in the reserve (who sometimes eat sea lions), it was found! The team proceeded to cradle the animal between their vessels and remove the plastic band. Then, they injected a reversal drug to reverse the tranquilizer before letting it go.

Everyone was relieved to have successfully helped an animal in need. We have suggested that future disentanglement efforts might have a better chance if extended to overnight stays in the guest house, and perhaps coordinated and executed in a more timely manner in relation to the animal sighting(s). This time we were unable to find the original animals that we had previously spotted, since it took quite a while to organize the rescue attempt. A big thank you to everyone who came to help this sea lion and teach us about their work!

Check out rescue.ocean.org to learn more about the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue program, and Ocean Wise.

Thanks to the rescue team, one more sea lion has a better chance of survival! (vet Marty holding the dart gun and dart used to tranquilize the sea lion)

 

See media coverage: https://www.bclocalnews.com/news/plastic-band-removed-from-neck-of-greater-victoria-sea-lion-2/

Hustle and Bustle / Pleasure Craft Violation / Census

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Weather: 

  • Sky overcast, hazy, steady rain this afternoon
  • Visibility 15 miles this morning, < 2 miles this afternoon
  • Wind 0-10 knots NE
  • Water calm

Boats/Visitors: 

    • A whole boat load of visitors this morning! VP of Pearson College Tyrone, Alum in residence Norbert and friends to advise on our solar panel system, a desalinator consultant (in preparation for the new desalinator!), and an insurance appraiser.
    • Fewer whale watching boats this week, but we have been concerned about the frequent use of flash photography and its possible effects on the wildlife.
    • Greg also made another trip to bring us some water this afternoon.
    • Yesterday we watched a pleasure craft approach the sea lions near our jetty and throw some kind of food at them (some of it hit the sea lions). We were able to capture them scaring the animals, who stampeded into the water. They hovered to take photos and unfortunately pose with their open alcohol. Even more unfortunate, the bait that we saw being thrown at the sea lions previously and perhaps this time as well is not suitable for consumption, as many times it has been treated with formaldehyde.

Ecological: 

  • Many sea lions now, and unfortunately a few that are injured. Aside from the two that we have mentioned previously, we have been finding more fishing hooks scattered around and a sea lion appearing to have a nasty wound possibly caused by an embedded fishing hook.
  • This afternoon we also noticed a sea lion with a propeller inflicted gash on his head. He seemed to be dazed or perhaps concussed due to the injury. Normally the sea lions are skittish and make a ruckus if we get too close, but this one didn’t react to our presence and seemed notably lethargic. We were concerned that he might fall victim to the injury, but approximately an hour later he seemed more alert, reacted to our presence, and seemed to be doing okay.
  • We reported the tagged sea lion to the researchers in California and were excited to hear that they have some information about him and his early life. We hope to be able to share more soon! This little guy has already swum almost 1500 km from his birth place, Ana Nuevo CA.
  • Yesterday there was quite a bit of smoke caused by controlled burning taking place on the nearby DND land. They burned 20 hectares of Gary Oak habitat to protect the species (from invading conifers) and and prevent spread of invasive plants.

Census:

  • 350 sea lions
  • 50 harbour seals
  • 1 elephant seal
  • 40 cormorants
  • 60 adult gulls, and some chicks (they are too hard to see from the lighthouse)
  • 4 geese
  • 20 turnstones

 

More Sea Lion Injuries Due to Fishing

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Weather: 

  • Sky partly cloudy, some periods of fog
  • Visibility 1-15 miles intermittently
  • Wind 20-30 knots W – NW
  • Water rough, whitecaps, swells around 1m

Boats/Visitors: 

  • No visitors today, but on Sunday Corey drove us back to Race Rocks with some more water as we were having troubles getting our boat to start.
  • There have not been many whale watching boats but when they are here they often get quite close to the sea lions (within 10m). We can tell when there is a boat present in the reserve by the increase in “barking” and distressed sounds that the sea lions make.

Ecological: 

  • Over the weekend a sea lion was spotted with some fishing line wrapped around its neck. We believe that it could be the same one spotted last year. As it grows it will likely die due to slow suffocation caused by the line. Unfortunately it’s virtually impossible to have someone come to tranquilize and remove the line as the sea lions move on before they can get here. However, if we see it again we will report the injury.
  • Today we found a large fishing hook which must have come loose off of a sea lion. We’ve previously observed sea lions trying to remove fishing hooks from their skin by rubbing against the jetty.
  • There are quite a few sea lions all over the island now. We have been delaying our water sample that we normally take from the jetty to avoid having to chase them off, since when they are startled they climb over each other or rush off of the side of the jetty where the water isn’t very deep. The few that have come near the house don’t seem to be moving around much, just resting and getting away from the crowds.
  • With the return of the sea lions we’ve been getting bitten by little black fleas that we also saw in late spring. They were not a problem while the sea lions were not here, so we’re wondering if the two are connected.
  • Many of the young seagulls have left or are flying very well. A few of the latest hatched are still here, but the mothers are starting to leave them to fend for themselves.
  • We have been spotting the odd young elephant seal hauling out for a few hours before continuing on.
  • We’ve been noticing eagle feathers and dead adult seagulls around the island. Oddly, we haven’t seen the eagles hunting.

Maintenance: 

  • We’ve been needing to do daily fence repairs on the electric fence at the back of the island as the sea lions have been trampling it and breaking the wire and insulators that hold the wire on the posts. Hopefully with some persistence on our part they will learn to leave it alone.
  • Today we also set up the electric fence that runs between our house and the jetty/north island to prevent them from coming up around the infrastructure. They are stinky and destructive if you let them get too close!
  • We are still picking up sharp bits of tin and shingles/tar paper/ misc. litter from around the island. Some of it is from the roofs being redone recently, but a lot of it is older and becoming exposed now that the grasses are dormant for the summer.  Today we filled two buckets in an hour or two of scavenging.

A Foggy Weekend

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Weather: 

  • Sky partly cloudy, some thick fog banks passing over us
  • Visibility 5-15 miles, intermittent fog
  • Wind 0-5 knots W
  • Water calm

Boats/Visitors: 

  • Yesterday we had a great team of volunteers come to help remove the rest of the shingles and accumulated rubbish from around the island. We still have some more to go but it’s looking great!
  • Greg showed us how to set up the electric fencing to keep the sea lions off some of the island. Yesterday we set up one at the back of the island and will need to set up the fence near the jetty soon.
  • Today Corey and his family will pop in for a visit
  •  Our friend is going home this afternoon

Ecological: 

  • We spotted the seagull chick that had been attacked (and lost an eye) yesterday and it’s doing well. It is missing an eye now but is learning to fly alongside the others.
  • We saw two orcas pass just outside of the reserve on Thursday
  • The sea lions have started to come further onto the island, and there are more and more each day