WARNING: The following story contains disturbing content and photos that may be offensive to some readers.
UPDATE: Vancouver Aquarium is currently attempting a rescue of a sea lion in Fanny Bay. More updates to come.
Previous story:
Another entangled sea lion is in need of urgent help in the Fanny Bay area of Vancouver Island, according to a local photographer.
Netonia Chatelaine says the sea lion has what looks like a rope tangled around its neck. She says the rope is penetrating deep into the animal’s flesh and the area looks infected.
Chatelaine was a major advocate for the rescue of another sea lion, named Kiyo, earlier this year.
Kiyo the sea lion was first sighted in the area in February and had its neck wrapped up twice by the line that was similarly penetrating his skin.
After Chatelaine raised the alarm about Kiyo’s plight, a number of rescue attempts was made by teams from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Vancouver Aquarium, but the animal could not be located.
WATCH: Kiyo’s story
Chatelaine says the condition of this sea lion is much worse than Kiyo’s ever was.
The sea lion does appear to be moving, but has not been in the water a lot. Chatelaine says she was made aware of his condition on Sunday.
She says authorities have been contacted and she has also reached out to the Vancouver aquarium for help.
The Vancouver aquarium told Global News they do not have any staff available until next week to assess the situation.
Anyone who sees a distressed marine animal is asked to call the BC Marine Mammal Response Network at 1-800-465-4336.
PHOTOS OF sea lion: *warning graphic images
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