I’ve been alerted to a California sea lion entangled in some netting hanging out down by the jetty. The line is cutting into the front of his neck, and he seems to be spending as much time as possible lying flat to relieve the pressure. The hope is that he sticks around long enough for a fellow Ecoguardian on the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Service (VAMRS) team to come help him out.

It’s heartbreaking to see such a beautiful creature in pain, especially as this is my first time coming into such close and regular contact with marine mammals. Unfortunately, this sea lion is only one of many entanglements that we’ll likely see around the rocks this year. The page marine mammal injuries details more of the ways human activity can endanger the animals we share wild waters with.

Yet even as sad as the situation is, the response by so many reaching out to let us know of the situation from eco-tour naturalists to private visitors, has been heartwarming. As much as we bear responsibility for so much damage, I find hope in the folks working to treat the natural world with the care and respect we owe it. And hopefully, they can come soon for a rescue operation!

Facility Work
– cleaned panels
– wiped stair railings in main house
– generator fuel check + inspection

Weather
Sunshine, big fluffy cumulus ringing the horizon all day. Morning blowing southern 10 knots, westerlies picking up from 12 to 29 knots later in the day. Temperature from 12 to 16 degrees.

Vessels
ecotourism: 18
private: 4