Bullet found in head of wandering sea lion

updated 10:43 p.m. ET Feb. 10, 2004

LOS BANOS, Calif. - A bullet was found lodged in the head of a sea lion discovered flopping along a road in central California some 60 miles from the ocean.

The 300-pound male was spotted by motorists near Los Banos Monday morning and picked up by animal rescue workers later in the day. Initial speculation was that the sea lion swam up the San Joaquin River from the ocean and through a series of canals in search of food.

Animal rescue personnel now believe the sea lion may have been disoriented because of the bullet in the back of its skull.

“We don’t know how recently this happened,” said spokeswoman Cynthia Schramm of the Marine Mammal Center. “He looks good. He’s not malnourished, so he’s obviously been feeding. It hasn’t incapacitated him.”

Veterinarians at the center’s hospital in Sausalito had not decided Tuesday whether to remove the bullet. Schramm said the sea lion would remain under observation for at least a week while officials determine whether he is healthy enough to return to the ocean.

Schramm thought it unlikely the shooter would ever be tracked down, even though federal authorities were notified of the case.

“These cases often go unsolved. It’s against the law to harm or harass any marine mammal, but it’s very hard to prosecute these cases because no one sees them happen,” she said.

MORE FROM U.S. NEWS

U.S. news Section Front

Storm plea: Cut back on holiday lights Dems praise tentative health bill compromise Chicago terror suspect pleads not guilty Obama is sued for White House visitor list Al Gore rebuts Palin's climate change claims WWII veteran had Hitler’s art book on shelf Survey: Americans mix and match religions Judge: Inmate’s execution appeal has limits   Team predicts above-average hurricane season Fugitive worked for Homeland Security U.S. news Section Front   Add U.S. news headlines to your news reader: