By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator
A male California sea lion, named Oscar by marina staff (top), resting with another male of the same species in the Des Moines marina on February 20th.
For the past couple years, a male California sea lion has visited Des Moines Marina annually. Recognizable by a branded number on his back, he’s been coined Oscar by the marina staff. This year, Oscar showed up in January with clear injuries to his face, including his jaw.
Oscar on February 3rd, his jaw visibly injured, but alert and robust.
Male California sea lions are hundreds of pounds, and Oscar liked to rest on the very end of marina docks, meaning he would have to be sedated in order to be brought to the Rescue Center. Despite his injuries, his body condition was fairly robust, suggesting he was still able to eat, so we decided to monitor him in the wild before bringing him into care. With regular updates from the marina staff and active field photography efforts from SR3, we were able to keep an eye on Oscar for over two months.
Despite marine mammals' incredible ability to heal themselves, unfortunately, Oscar’s body condition and attitude began to decline in March as he likely fought off infection from his injuries. Since sedation and transport to the Rescue Center presented their own risks in Oscar’s circumstance, it was determined that the best course of action for him would be to inject him with a long-lasting antibiotic in the field.
Using a pressurized injection pole, experts can administer the antibiotic quickly and from a few feet away. But he was still a wild animal and aware of his surroundings, so the challenge then boiled down to one objective: sneaking up on him.
On March 24th, SR3 staff made their moves, preparing the medication and equipment. Oscar was resting on the end of a dock farther inside the marina than usual, and with the help of marina staff, we decided to approach him from behind via rowboat. When the boat was a few feet away, Oscar noticed the field crew and slid into the water.
Oscar: 1, SR3: 0
Des Moines Marina and SR3 staff approaching Oscar in a row boat.
Shortly after, he returned to the end of his usual dock in the marina, and a second attempt was made from the structure on foot. He spooked again.
Oscar: 2, SR3: 0
The following day, he was resting again in his usual location, and a third attempt was made - this time with success! Over the course of several minutes, SR3 staff were able to slowly approach Oscar and inject him in his hindquarters, administering the antibiotic to him in less than a second.
SR3 staff use a pole to inject antibiotics into a male California sea lion on the end of the dock.
Immediately after the injection, he was seen floating in the marina, thermoregulating with his flippers reaching out of the water - a natural behavior for sea lions.
This round of antibiotics lasted 7-10 days, and if Oscar returns to the marina or surrounding shore, he will be given another dose if necessary. If his condition has continued to decline, he will be reassessed to determine if bringing him into the Rescue Center is the best course of action. Hopefully, with the power of medicine and Oscar’s own ability to heal, he has recovered from his injuries and illness and continues to be a part of the local environment and a beloved member of this marine neighborhood.