The Vancouver Aquarium says the girl who was pulled into the water in Richmond B.C. by a sea lion Saturday, did receive a superficial wound from the incident.
They are not releasing many details, but do say the family of the girl has been in touch with them and the girl is receiving appropriate treatment.
Officials at the aquarium put out a message to the family on Sunday, saying they hope they will come forward to ensure the health of the little girl.
WATCH: Sea Lion drags young girl into water at Richmond’s Steveston wharf
The California sea lion has sharp teeth and experts say she could be prone to infection if she suffered any puncture wounds or even a scratch. They say doctors might not know about the specific course of treatment that would be required, and wanted the family to reach out so they could ensure she gets the help she needs.
The video, captured by Vancouver resident Michael Fujiwara, shows the large marine mammal pulling the girl into the water. Fujiwara said, prior to the incident happening, the young girl and her family were feeding the sea lion bread crumbs.
As screams erupted from the crowd, a family member immediately leapt into the water, grabbed the child and took her to safety. The girl appeared terrified but physically unharmed, and was immediately whisked away from the scene by an adult.
Following the incident, the Steveston Harbour Authority put up signs on the dock that read, “Please do not feed the sea lions.”
-With files from Kevin Nielsen and Jon Azpiri