BC veterinarians find sea lion from gunshot wounds and crossbow injuries 

A sea lion that came into the care of the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre this month appears to have survived several gunshots to the head before being rescued.

Archie is a California sea lion who arrived at the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre this month following a dramatic rescue, underwent a follow-up physical examination this week that confirmed a horrific past.

The centre confirmed through an examination that Archie, who came into the centre with severe crossbow injuries, also had been shot in the head several times and survived.

Already severely injured and underweight as a result of his crossbow injuries, veterinary staff determined that Archie’s eye abnormalities were caused by an old gunshot wound to the face.

Archie’s radiographs revealed 12 pellets embedded in his head, confirming suspicions that his impaired vision was the result of a gunshot wound — an injury he has likely been living with for some time, according to his care team.

“I was disappointed to see the pellets. We knew that this animal had already been through a lot, but confirming he’d survived something like this as well — it’s disturbing,” said Dr. Martin Haulena, head veterinarian at the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre.

“We’re thankfully seeing some signs of improvement in Archie already,” said Emily Johnson, assistant manager of the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. “He is eating well and continues to stabilize. He’s also going for frequent swims in his rehab pool which is great physiotherapy and very reassuring,” she added.

Archie has a long road to recovery, and his care team wants to be clear that shooting wildlife unpermitted is illegal and is a slow death sentence for the animal.

“No animal deserves to go through this. It’s a really agonizing way to go, I’m thankful we were able to intervene,” said Dr. Martin Haulena.

Archie is not the only sea lion to arrive at the rescue centre with gunshot wounds to the face. Two other rescues, Senor Cinco and Ukee, were both admitted after being discovered lethargic, blinded and underweight as a result of gunshots.

If you see a marine mammal that you believe is in distress: stay back, keep people and pets away, call the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-SEAL (7325), or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) hotline at 1-800-465-4336.