An older adult male California sea lion was rescued today from Golden Gardens beach in Ballard. The rescue was a challenging task and required the combined efforts of NOAA Stranding Network, WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations, Seattle Animal Control, and the Seattle Aquarium. The older male was nicknamed “Golden” (aka “Trevor” by a concerned group of girls from Shoreline).

A Seal Sitter volunteer responded early this morning to find the thin and listless sea lion resting between two logs on the beach. A perimeter was established with Protected Marine Mammal tape. Thankfully, at that time the beach was uncrowded and health assessment photos were taken and emailed to NOAA and WDFW for evaluation. Reports of wounds on the animal appear to be older wounds that have healed, however, we will update you after biologists examine him. Golden was extremely thin - at least 100 pounds underweight for this time of year. According to Brent Norberg of NOAA who was onsite this afternoon, sea lions should be bulked up this time of year in preparation for their long migration back to the breeding grounds of California’s Channel Islands.

As the day progressed the beach got busier and the sea lion slowly worked his way closer to the water, far away from the safety of the tape barrier. Sea lions (unlike harbor seals) use all four flippers to move on land. Witnesses, however, say that he was inching his way on his side - definitely a sign of compromised health. It was determined that for the safety of both beachgoers and Golden he should be rescued from the beach - a difficult endeavor as it involved a soft sand beach, trucks, a 400 pound cage and an estimated 300-400 pound wild animal. Using stranding boards and poles, the team was able to coax a reluctant Golden into the huge kennel and hoist it onto the truckbed. He was transported by WDFW for a health assessment.

Check back for more photos of Golden, his rescue operation and updates on his condition as information becomes available.

RELATED NEWS LINKS
Injured sea lion moved from Seattle beach (KING 5)
Ailing sea lion taken from Golden Gardens for evaluation (Seattle Times)
Evening report on injured sea lion (KOMO 4)
Stranded sickly sea lion found at Golden Gardens (KIRO 7)

Tags: Ballard sea lion