Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published May 15, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 15, 2008 at 3:57 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Government: Overheating may have killed sea lions

The deaths of federally protected sea lions found in traps at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River may be due to overheating. Government wildlife specialists made...

PORTLAND — The deaths of federally protected sea lions found in traps at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River may be due to overheating.

Government wildlife specialists made that conclusion after their review of the necropsies conducted on the six protected sea lions.

Studies of tissue samples taken after the May 4 deaths are expected in about 10 days and may reveal more.

Oregon and Washington had been trapping the animals as part of a federally approved removal process to reduce sea lion's impact on salmon at the dam.

The Humane Society of the United States questioned Wednesday whether the 60-degree weather at the time would kill animals that can survive worse.

The National Marine Fisheries Service initially reported the animals had apparently been shot and said later that investigators were pursuing theories that someone in a boat had gone to the traps and used a high-powered rifle to dispatch the sea lions, the bullets passing through the flesh.

The service's initial reports about the deaths raised intense interest in the long-running dispute over the sea lions, which prey on protected salmon, and as a consequence, the government and the Humane Society made an agreement to suspend trapping and removing the sea lions this year.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

UPDATE - 03:39 PM
Arson suspect has long history of setting fires

Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders

Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19

Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away

UPDATE - 03:57 PM
Kent man challenges Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' gun ban

Advertising

Video

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.

Video shows violent arrest by SPD
Fort Lewis Memorial
Highlights: Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Seattle International Cabaret Festival
Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising