Lethal Sea Lions!

For a moment we thought our warnings about the animal uprising had finally begun to penetrate the thick heads of the bureaucrats. The headline to the article reads: "States seek lethal sea lion removal". We thought that they have finally realized that these creatures are savage killers just waiting for an opportunity to use a swimmer as a beach ball. But nooooo. It's just another bad AP headline writer. All the states want is the OK to shoot a couple of the beasts.

 PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon and Washington are drafting a proposal for "limited selected lethal removal" of protected California sea lions in the Columbia River to ease pressure on the spring chinook salmon run.

The proposal could be ready for the federal government next month, said Charles Corralino, who heads the conservation and recovery program for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

He said the states are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Columbia River tribes.

A salmon fisherman said the sea lions are affecting both salmon and sturgeon and need to go, but an official of the Humane Society of the United States said removal would only make it look like something is being done while ignoring the more serious issues.

It could be two to four years before federal approval is given.

If it is, it could be a grim-gram for C404, probably the smartest and easily the most famous of the sea lions who gather at the base of Bonneville Dam each spring looking for an easy snack.

C404 got famous by foiling every effort to keep him and his buddies out of the fish ladders the salmon use to get past the dam on their way upriver to spawn.

His name reflects the brand fishery officials gave him for identification. Since 2003, he has been showing up almost on a timetable for the spring chinook run.

So this C404 (not to be confused with C-3PO) is eating a lot of salmon. At least that got them riled up enough to want to do something about him and his pals. But we do wish people would pay attention to our warnings instead of edging away from us at parties….