The West’s New Pet: Sea Lions

By Joseph Friedrichs, 3-20-08

Oregon wildlife officials are asking zoos, aquariums and theme parks across the country to take in sea lions that will be captured in the Columbia River early next month.

Federal authorities gave Oregon approval this week to remove sea lions that gather at Bonneville Dam’s fish ladder to feed on salmon, the Oregonian reports. The reason, according to the feds, was that many of the salmon are imperiled and protected species.

After a sea lion is captured it has 48 hours to be adopted. If they are not taken in during that time they will then be killed.

It’s kind of a strange equation, but so are many of the federal governments plans to protect salmon.