Necropsies were performed today on the two dead California sea lions that washed ashore in West Seattle this week. Evidence of bullet wounds and projectiles were found in both adult males, one with extensive internal damage. The skulls were removed and will be radiographed early next week and should reveal more conclusive results. Rib cages and many of the organs were taken for further examination for damage and projectiles.

It was truly a collaborative effort of the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network partners. Shown above, WDFW marine mammal biologist Dyanna Lambourn and SR3’s Casey McLean examine entry wounds on one of the sea lions. Sno-King Marine Mammal Response Lead Investigator Rachel Mayer assisted.

Seal Sitters MMSN First Responders and volunteers provided support with photo documentation and entry of data, kept the area secure and educated the public. NOAA’s Brad Hanson and fellow orca researcher Mark Sears, who were headed out to observe J and K pods, offered to tow one of the massive sea lions with their inflatable research boat to Don Armeni boat launch, where the necropsy crew was standing by.

After the first animal had been worked up, Laura James and colleague Rick Rasmussen rounded Duwamish Head in his Boston Whaler to fetch the second dead animal, wedged along the shoreline below Alki Avenue. They returned with the fresh dead animal in tow.

Many thanks to Seattle Parks’ Carol Baker and the crew from the Heavy Equipment department, whose backhoe lifted the carcass remnants (many hundreds of pounds) into the bed of WDFW’s pickup so that the remains could be properly disposed of.

Thanks to everyone who went the extra mile to make sure these two beautiful animals were properly examined - and prove that they had indeed been shot. Evidence will be turned over to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for investigation.

Please be on the alert. NOAA urges the public to report any information or incidents they see or hear to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement: during regular business hours, call 206-526-6133, after hours 1-800-853-1964.

Tags: sea lion shootings, shot sea lions 2018