Chances of Rescuing Sea Lion Seen as Improved

County animal control officers hope to try in the next few days to rescue Gilly, the young California sea lion with a gill net slicing into its neck, a Malibu veterinarian said.

“We think the chances are much better this time,” said Dr. Nancy Smith, who organized a campaign to raise more than $4,400 to buy a net gun that she will donate to the county Department of Animal Control.

Smith said the instrument, which costs $3,100, has been ordered and is expected to arrive this week. The remainder of the funds will also be donated to the county.

Gilly first attracted widespread attention in February when a fisherman spotted it on a bait platform a quarter of a mile off the Malibu Pier, where the sea lion often rests. Rescuers have tried several times to capture it by throwing a net over it, but Gilly has eluded them. Experts have said that unless the animal is captured and the net removed, it will eventually choke to death.