Injured Nanaimo sea lion no cause for concern says rescue society<\/p>\n
Published 10:40 am Monday, March 23, 2026<\/p>\n
With March underway, sea lions are back on Nanaimo\u2019s coastal shores as the marine mammals make the most of the herring run.<\/p>\n
Among them, is one with a severe jaw injury that has resulted in several people reporting to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, but the society advised it is aware of him and people need not be concerned.<\/p>\n
According to Dr. Martin Haulena, rescue society\u2019s head veterinarian and executive director, the injuries were first spotted in 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s obviously had some pretty severe facial trauma at some point in his life,\u201d Haulena said. \u201cWe know it has been at least four years based on photographs of him since 2022, what caused it we\u2019re not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some common injuries the society sees in sea lions involve being shot by people, getting into collisions with boats and entanglement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe certainly get our share of cases, we\u2019re busy all year round,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen there\u2019s all the sort of things everybody gets, infections, cancer, you name it. It\u2019s a whole gambit of issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
In this specific sea lion\u2019s case, Haulena said he seems to be able to hunt and that unless something changes or he gets into trouble, he seems to be doing just fine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an animal that has been dealing with this for a very long period of time, and he has obviously been able to accommodate and live out there quite successfully. At this point in time we\u2019re not going to interfere with him, but we certainly appreciate everyone being concerned about him.\u201d<\/p>\n
One aspect that might factor into his success, Haulenasaid said, is the fact that sea lions swallow their prey whole, without relying on his jaws to chew \u2013 meaning as long as he can still catch his prey he can eat it.<\/p>\n
If someone see a marine mammal in distress, they\u2019re asked to call the society at 604\u2011258\u20117325, e- mail rescue@vammr.org or contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada\u2019s B.C. Marine Mammal Response Network at 1-800-465-4336 or e-mail DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.<\/p>\n