Vancouver Crew Saves 280kg Sea Lion From Plastic Band

Imagine performing surgery on a 600-pound wild animal on a rocky coastline while racing against time. That's exactly what Dr. Marty Haulena and his rescue crew did earlier this month at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve off Vancouver Island.

A California sea lion had been spotted with a plastic packing band wrapped tightly around its neck. These bands, commonly used to seal cardboard boxes, are the leading cause of sea lion entanglements that the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue (VAMMR) responds to.

The rescue mission required precision and nerve. The team traveled by zodiac to the reserve, identified the injured animal among dozens of sea lions, and used a dart gun to sedate it safely.

Once the sea lion was sedated, they quickly removed the plastic band that had been cutting into its neck. The crew tagged the animal for tracking, administered medication to wake it up, and rushed back to their boat before the 280-kilogram mammal fully regained consciousness.

Dr. Haulena is the only veterinarian in Canada qualified to perform these specialized rescues. The VAMMR team has pioneered techniques that allow them to safely help entangled sea lions in their natural habitat without transporting them to facilities.

Why This Inspires

This rescue represents more than saving one animal. It shows what's possible when experts dedicate themselves to solving preventable problems.

The team's specialized skills mean sea lions that would have suffered slow, painful deaths from human-caused injuries now get second chances. Their work also raises awareness about how everyday items like packing bands can harm ocean wildlife when improperly discarded.

Each successful rescue proves that the damage we accidentally cause can be undone with enough care and expertise.

Anyone who spots a marine mammal in distress can call the VAMMR hotline at 604-258-7325 (SEAL) to help save another life.