The Vancouver Aquarium says a seal pup found with fishing line cutting into its neck is a stark reminder of the dangers of discarding trash into the water.
The young pup, estimated to be between five and six months old, was rescued in Nanaimo earlier this week.
She had been spotted tangled in the net several times the week before, but no one could catch her.
Harbour Air flew the pup to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre Thursday, after a day’s delay due to bad weather.
Head Veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena said the pup is underweight but it is expected she will be released back to her natural habitat once she’s recovered.
She’s been treated with antibiotics and fluids and is eating on her own.
“It’s always hard to see these kinds of injuries, because they’re entirely preventable,” said Haulena said in a statement.
“Once the gear is off, the animals do tend to heal up very well.”
The pup has been named Maëlle Ricker, after the local snowboarder who won Olympic gold in 2010.
The centre has cared for 144 seal pups, one sea otter and several sea lions this year.
Its experts say marine debris has become an increasing problem, and more than 200 species are impacted by human litter.
Seals and sea lions, curious by nature, end up being harmed the most often, said Haulena.
“We usually see more sea lions with entanglements because of their foraging behaviour, where they travel, and because they tend to haul out in large visible groups, but seals can become entangled just as easily,” said Haulena.
