Blinded in vicious gun attack, the sad sea lion that can never return to the wild

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2010 file photo, a sea lion recovers from gun shot wounds at the Marine Mammal Center, in Sausalito, Calif. The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act makes shooting or harming ocean mammals a crime, but after years of declines in reported shootings in California, wildlife officials have seen a slight rise: there were 43 reported marine mammal shootings in 2009, nine more than in 2008 and 14 more than five years earlier, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (AP Photo/San Francisco Chronicle, Michael Macor, File) NO SALES MAGS OUT NO INTERNET NO TV MANDATORY CREDIT


Watching Silent Knight the sea lion move about - playful inquisitive, and yet blinded by a shotgun blast to the head - the overpowering thought is: 'Why would anyone want to do this?'

The seven-foot-long sea mammal is recovering at the Marine Mammal Centre in Sausalito, California.

But experts are under no illusions that Silent Knight will ever make a return to the wild from where he came.


Close to death: Multiple buckshot fragments can be seen in an X-ray of Silent Knight's skull. The creature was left permanently and totally blinded by the attack


The injured sea lion was found after being blasted in the head by an unknown gunman. He was brought to the Marine Mammal Centre and has been slowly nursed back to health.

The plucky sea creature has had a remarkable recovery but his injuries are permanent and debilitating.

X-rays of the animal reveal at least four large pieces of buckshot in his skull - one lodged near the eye and dangerously close to the brain.

The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act makes shooting or harming ocean mammals a crime, but after years of decline in reported shootings in California, wildlife officials have seen a slight rise.


Recue centre: the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. Sadly, it has seen many animals attacked by hearltess humans, and the incidence of illegal gun attacks on sea animals is on the rise


There were 43 reported marine mammal shootings in 2009, nine more than in 2008 and 14 more than five years earlier, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Veterinarians at the centre are hoping that an aquarium or zoo will provide a long-term home for him.

While wild sea lions that are born blind or gradually lose their sight have the possibility of adapting to that blindness and surviving in the ocean, adult sea lions like Silent Knight, who have relied on their vision all of their lives, are not so fortunate.

The centre's website says Silent Knight's story highlights the realities of what happens to marine mammals at the hands of thoughtless and cruel people.

It says: 'We hope you pause to think about these animals and consider ways you can help them, and stop these unthinkable acts.


source: dailymail