Dead sea lion found on West Seattle beach

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photo)

On private shoreline south of Lowman Beach Park, volunteers from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network are dealing with a dead sea lion. They describe it as a full-grown male, appearing to be in good condition aside from a wound which they are calling “suspicious.” Though a necropsy would be required to make the determination, two experienced wildlife observers who tipped us to the discovery say it might have been shot. Seal Sitters says the removal plan is still a work in progress; they’ve been working on securing the carcass, with high tide three hours away.

P.S. If you see a marine mammal on the shore – or in potential distress offshore – Seal Sitters’ hotline is 206-905-SEAL.

Kristina Dahl November 25, 2019 (1:53 pm)

Just last week I walked my dog with a sea lion; perhaps it was this sea lion. As I wandered the path beside the beach, a sea lion kept pace with my dog and I, swimming not far from shore and at our pace and direction, and every fiber of my being was filled with joy from the experience – how wonderful to live so near a big city, but so close to the wild. We walked, the sea lion swam, and it was lovely to spend time so near to such a wonderful creature.To say that I’m saddened by this is an understatement.

Elle Nell November 25, 2019 (8:45 pm)

This is disgusting!!! What an outrage.!! Did the sea Shepard ever figure anything out?? Keep your ears and eyes open ! Would LoVe to catch and prosecute whoever is doing this…‼️

kersti November 25, 2019 (10:34 pm)

Kristina if it was shot it probably wasn’t the one you ran with. The way the bay works with little flushing is how they end up where they do….Sad regardless

Yolanda November 26, 2019 (8:54 am)

This is so CRUEL. I don’t understand how can someone can be so evil and do this to God’s creation. I pray to God they get caught or if that there conscience kiks in and they say something about what happened.

Victoria November 26, 2019 (11:53 am)

I want to thank all the WS residents who get involved with monitoring our marine mammals and report to Seal Sitters anytime they spot a mammal on the beach or in distress. Locals routinely pitch in to help these animals and whose assistance makes the Seal Sitters job so much easier.

Lamont November 26, 2019 (10:21 pm)

They should close salmon fishing in Elliott bay to absolutely everyone for a year every time one of these turns up shot and nobody coughs up who did it.

anonyme November 27, 2019 (6:55 am)

Lamont, that’s the best idea I’ve heard in a while. Let’s do it. The problem is getting our officials to show some guts and take such action. Meanwhile, it would be great to have volunteers monitoring the situation on land and water. These criminals need to be stopped.

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