Numbers That Tell a Story
The sea lion habitat’s new stairway window and mesh front allow you an incredibly close view of our two new sea lions — and something else: numbers branded on their backs. Otis (C507) and Biff (C700) were among a group of sea lions who had found an easy meal of chinook salmon along the fish ladders of the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River in Oregon. It was a case of federally protected marine mammals eating federally endangered fish. To monitor the incidence of predation on the salmon population, wildlife biologists and veterinarians branded the sea lions with numbers large enough to see from a distance. The procedure was done under anesthesia, and the animals were given a full medical exam as part of the process.
When we acquired the sea lions, their numbers were almost up. As identified “problem animals,” Biff and Otis had been relocated, but they couldn’t stay away from the unintended seafood bar. In fact, at a half-ton, Otis was about 250 pounds overweight. As a last resort, wildlife officials slated them for permanent removal. That’s usually a death sentence, but the federal government and the marine mammal community collaborated to find Biff, Otis and several other dam habitués new homes at zoos and aquariums. The salmon are safer, the sea lions are saved, and Shedd has welcomed two fantastic marine mammals to its renovated sea lion habitat in the Oceanarium. And we’re happy to report that Otis is down to a healthy, normal 750 pounds.
Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor
Comments