Ryan took these images today. “I noticed this thin sea lion this morning, then that it had a brand, then that it’s front right flipper has been nearly cut through. I watched him long enough to see that he is having difficulty moving around and does not like to lie certain ways. I didn’t get the full brand in any one shot, but the last two show that is is branded C868.
Pat Gearin of Noaa added: this animal was captured and marked at Astoria, OR as an adult male so it’s not known how old it is or what it’s home rookery is.—
In regards to the injury on it’s flipper, again it’s difficult to say
what could have caused this without a closer exam. My guess is that
it was caused either by a shark, killer whale or possibly a boat
strike.
