The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), has successfully freed a female Steller sea lion from a severe neck entanglement near Cowichan Bay. The complex, weeks-long rescue effort was supported by the Cowichan Tribes, coastal observers, and a highly engaged online community.
The sea lion, later named Stl’eluqum by the Cowichan Tribes, was first sighted on November 7 and reported to VAMMR shortly after. Stl’eluqum means “fierce” or “exceptional” in Hul’q’umi’num’, the language of the Cowichan Peoples. She was observed intermittently throughout November and early December. A thick polypropylene rope wrapped around her neck was causing rapidly worsening injuries, making the rescue increasingly urgent.
Steller sea lions are listed as a species of Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
Challenging weather, limited daylight, and her infrequent pattern of hauling out hampered opportunities for a safe response. Throughout this period, VAMMR and DFO deployed vessels, drones, and shoreline observers. The Cowichan Tribes’ Marine Monitoring Team provided essential support, along with Cowichan Bay residents and members of the Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings Facebook group, who continued to share updates and report sightings.
On December 9, VAMMR and DFO conducted a full-day search, surveying the region by water and drone. A late-day sighting by the Cowichan Tribes enabled responders to return for one final attempt. The team safely sedated the sea lion and, once they began removing the rope, discovered it had been wrapped around her neck four times. After the debris was removed, the sedative was reversed and the animal swam away.
“We cover the entire B.C. coastline with a tiny team, so we rely heavily on the public to report animals in distress. The Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings Facebook group and its 60,000 members were instrumental in providing sightings. It shows how valuable social media can be as a tool for wildlife conservation, and it directly contributed to saving this sea lion’s life,” said Kendra Luckow, RVT, VAMMR Social Media Specialist.
With the holiday season underway, VAMMR reminds the public that increased waste can lead to more marine debris. Entanglement in ropes, plastics, and other discarded materials remains a major threat to marine mammals along the B.C. coast, and preventing debris from entering the ocean is essential to reducing these incidents.
“These are large, wild animals, and the risks involved in disentanglement trips can be significant for both the responders and the sea lion,” said Dr. Martin Haulena, Executive Director and Head Veterinarian of VAMMR. “Most of these cases are caused by marine debris and, if nothing is done, the outcome is usually fatal. In this case the rope was cutting deeper by the day and removing it was critical to this animal’s survival.”
Members of the public who see a marine mammal in distress can report it to Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 1-800-465-4336 or to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society at 604-258-SEAL (7325). Donations directly support rescue operations and the veterinary care needed to rehabilitate marine mammals in distress. To support this work, visit vammr.org.
