Photo: Wendy Szaniszlo/Vancouver Aquarium
A tangled sea lion has been freed from marine debris near Tofino.
Vancouver Aquarium says a rescue crew saved the adult female Steller sea lion earlier this month on Cleland Island.
A team tranquilized the animal and cut off a packing strap that was cutting into its neck. The sea lion was given antibiotics and tagged.
Researchers estimate about 400 animals a year are entangled in the Pacific Rim National Reserve.
The public is urged to report incidents to the aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-7325.
– with files from CTV Vancouver Island