Last week, reports of a roadway obstacle began coming to the attention of Cosmopolis Police Chief Heath Layman in Washington state. Motorists were reporting that a sea lion was lounging in the middle of a forest-lined road, several miles from the ocean.
“On the first report of it, I laughed and didn’t fully believe the report,” Layman told The Dodo. “Then a second person flagged me down and said the same thing. So, I went to check it out.”
Layman was understandably dubious — never had anything like this been reported to him before. But sure enough, arriving at the scene, this is what he saw:
Cosmopolis Police Department/Heath Layman
“I thought it was going to be a small seal, but it wasn’t, he (or she, I shouldn’t assume their gender) was firmly established in the middle of the eastbound lane of the county road and wasn’t interested in moving,” Layman said.
This was no small seal, however. It was a rather sizable California sea lion, who, presumably, had arrived at the spot after swimming up a nearby river connected to the sea.
Cosmopolis Police Department/Heath Layman
Layman positioned his car to protect the sea lion from traffic, but the animal showed no urgency in clearing the road.
In fact, he (or she) almost seemed to scoff at the notion of moving along.
Cosmopolis Police Department/Heath Layman
For help in urging the sea lion along, Layman alerted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
And before long, the road was clear of living obstacles.
“The sea lion eventually left the roadway, returning to the river,” Layman said.
Cosmopolis Police Department/Heath Layman
The situation had been resolved peaceably, but the sea lion left quite an impression on the police chief.
“It was a unique incident,” Layman said. “I’ve been at this department for over 28 years … it was a first for me. It was a unique and memorable day.”
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