seal.watch / british columbia

British Columbia · public record

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British Columbia · observation

Near Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island

· Vancouver Island

VAMMR and Fisheries and Oceans Canada encountered a female Steller sea lion with rope tightly wrapped around her neck near Cowichan Bay. After a sighting reported by the Cowichan Tribes, responders sedated her and removed the rope. She swam away. The same animal had been reported since 7 November.

Species
Steller sea lion
Number of seals
1
Attributed name
Stl'eluqum (name given by Cowichan Tribes)
Source
Vancouver Aquarium / VAMMR original press release via CNW

About this record

Supporting evidence
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/steller-sea-lion-rescued-from-life-threatening-entanglement-in-cowichan-bay-b-c--868400793.html — Original 12 December 2025 release explicitly dates the rescue encounter to 9 December. Earlier sightings since 7 November refer to the same animal, not extra counted individuals.
Identification confidence
Not recorded
Editorial status
Published by Seal Watch.

Source wording, attributed names and approximate date labels are preserved. A published report does not establish a verified animal identity.

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Other reports with the same broad area or attributed name.

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Source: Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre

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Source: Marine Education & Research Society (MERS)