Rescued Sea Lion Undergoes Treatment for Gunshot Wound

A sea lion who was rescued after crossing U.S. Highway 101 in Burlingame on Saturday is still recovering from the incident - as well as from an apparent gunshot wound.

Named "Broadway Bound" for the route she took toward the Highway 101 Broadway off-ramp on Saturday, veterinarians have determined that the sea lion is female and that she recently suffered a bullet wound to her face, Marine Mammal Center spokesman Jim Oswald said today.

Police and animal rescuers received reports at around 7 a.m. Saturday that a sea lion had crossed north- and southbound lanes of Highway 101 before ending up in a ditch on the side of the road.

For now, veterinarians are focused on getting the animal to eat, since she has been too agitated to do so since being rescued.

"We're hoping we can get her to increase her appetite and take care of that wound, and hopefully, if all goes well, we'd love to be able to release her back into the ocean," Oswald said.

Pending test results could reveal whether the sea lion is suffering from algae poisoning, which can cause seizures and disorientation, he said.

Meanwhile, veterinarians are still treating Broadway Bound for trauma to her jaw that appears to have been caused by the bullet. Oswald said the sea lion is the second such animal with a gunshot wound taken in by the Marine Mammal Center this year. In 2010, the center admitted nine sea lions suffering from gunshot wounds.

--Bay City News Service