A sea lion pup. (credit: NOAA)
SAUSALITO, Calif. (AP) — A sea lion that was found shot in the face on a Sausalito Beach is blind and will not be able to return to the wild.
Marine Mammal Center veterinarian Bill Van Bonn told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that the center is now looking for an aquarium, wildlife care facility or sanctuary willing to adopt the sea lion
The 7-foot-long, 336-pound male sea lion named “Silent Knight” by its caretakers was brought to the Marine Mammal Center on Dec. 8 with five shotgun pellets in its brain.
Its right eye had been blown out. The optic nerve in its left eye was later determined to also be damaged.
Van Bonn says Silent Knight has otherwise shown signs of improving health. He consumes 7 pounds of herring a day and has even attempted to chase fish in his pool.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
15 Comments
Who would be so stupid to hurt these animals. God bless those who find the animals and bring them to health and a safe place to live. Please people, stop hurting animals in our world.
December 28, 2010 at 9:55 am | | Report comment
People that do this need to be put away for life. They will do the same to people.
December 28, 2010 at 10:34 am | | Report comment
the sea lion probably got into the fisherman’s catch. Dont worry, I am sure those sea lions dont have a problem breeding.
The hilarity of the above comments is beyond pale.
Seriously, animals are for eating, they eat other animals, and we eat them. This is the cycle of life, so get over it
December 28, 2010 at 10:38 am | | Report comment
Helen of Sacramento;
What a jerk !!!!!!! from what I read in your comment, you must be a real joy to live with. How can you be so cold towards life of any kind. All life no matter what their part in the cycle of life is important, so I suggest that you get over your self.
December 28, 2010 at 11:43 am | | Report comment
You sir are an idiot! True hunters eat what they kill. They don’t just go around shooting innocent animals for the heck of it. The cycle of life does not include being shot by some JA just for the heck of it.
December 28, 2010 at 11:44 am | | Report comment
Bill I believe June & Scott’s comments were for those who intentionally go out to kill animals for no reason. I agree with them. We all know people eat animals and animals eat other animals, thanks for the science work on that. But, people who purposely go out their way to hurt animals should be locked up or fed to sharks. I don’t know about you, but I have no appetite for a sea lion.
December 28, 2010 at 10:44 am | | Report comment
You go girl.
December 28, 2010 at 11:45 am | | Report comment
Whoever did this should be shot in the face with a shotgun! I volunteer to do it.
December 28, 2010 at 10:49 am | | Report comment
let the animal loose, it will fill its purpose as shark food
December 28, 2010 at 10:51 am | | Report comment
MRA………YOU LOSE !!….BLAM BLAM……hpe you heal quickly…..
December 28, 2010 at 11:02 am | | Report comment
your a jerk for saying that !!!! Do you even have a heart ????????? Guess not for saying what you said !!!!!!!! Hope the same happens to you then maybe you will not SEE what happens next just like that poor sea lion is going thru now !!!!!!
December 28, 2010 at 6:26 pm | | Report comment
Very sad and I am glad to see the one idiotic comment was removed, Sad as it is you have to wonder if it might be more humane to euthanize the poor animal? I agree those that harm animals should be treated the same as someone who harms a human, the killing or maming of animals might be just the first step for this kind of sick idiot, a human could be next on his list.
December 28, 2010 at 10:57 am | | Report comment
I would be glad to be the shooter of the person/persons that did this, ANOTHER socio/psychopath walks the street !!!!! Shotgun blast to the face and left for dead would be too good for this person.
December 28, 2010 at 11:00 am | | Report comment
you wear leather shoes dont you ? Animals are here for humans to consume. This one got in the fishermans way of food gathering. Right or wrong , any other species would be excused for protecting its food source.
December 28, 2010 at 2:37 pm | | Report comment
I think that the jerk who shot him should be shot the same way so he can feel that babys pain and suffering that he caused !!
December 28, 2010 at 6:21 pm | | Report comment