Wayward sea lion spotted on remote B.C. logging road, several kilometres from the ocean

People living on northern Vancouver Island are used to seeing wildlife along dirt roads but a recent encounter shocked even longtime residents.

On Monday, Greg Clarke was driving home from the Holberg Radar Station when he spotted a sea lion sitting by the side of the road.

0:30 Bear walks into Revelstoke, B.C., liquor store

Estimated to weigh up to 600 pounds, the animal was not afraid and aggressively approached Clarke’s vehicle.

Paul Cottrell with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) says the animal was around seven kilometres away from the ocean.

0:52 B.C. bigfoot hunters say reported sighting was actually a moose

It is suspected the aquatic mammal followed a creek looking for food and ended up on the road.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“It’s really concerning as this is a big animal, a healthy animal, and it was charging vehicles that were passing by,” Cottrell said.

He said DFO was ready to respond but the animal has not been seen recently and the hope is it went back to the creek and is heading for open water.

Cottrell said anyone spotting a wayward sea lion should immediately contact DFO.