Ocean Sentry
Oregon and Washington wildlife officials are moving ahead with plans to remove sea lions from Bonneville Dam. Trapping could resume as early as Monday. The states and Columbia River tribes claim the protected animals eat too many spring chinook as the fish school up before passing through fish ladders.
Animal-welfare and defense groups want the federal courts to delay the program until their appeal can be heard.
They contend the sea lions are a politically convenient scapegoat for bigger problems with the salmon runs, such as dams and bird predation.
The plans are to trap the animals and give them to zoos or aquatic parks, but the states are authorized to kill up to 85 a year.
(From seattletimes.nwsource.com, Columbia River)
