Sea lion found with gunshot wounds in Newport Beach is euthanized

A California sea lion found with gunshot wounds at the Wedge at Newport Beach has been humanely euthanized because of her injuries, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center said Tuesday.

The Laguna Beach-based facility said it rescued the female sea lion Dec. 16 after Newport Beach Animal Control reported her in distress. The 1½-year-old marine mammal, which center workers named Mandalorian, was found to have been wounded by two gunshots in her chest, likely from a pellet rifle, the center said.

She also had an abscess on her back causing her pain and discomfort and limiting her ability to move, according to the center.

Despite treatment, Mandalorian’s health declined and she was euthanized Dec. 22, the center said.

“A necropsy revealed that one of the bullets impacted between the rib and adjacent vertebrae. This entry wound most likely became infected, leading to severe muscle necrosis around the impact site and an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The second gunshot was lodged in the musculature between the ribs,” according to a statement from the mammal center.

The gunshot pellets will be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement for further investigation, the center said.

“Unfortunately, what we saw is taking place up and down the Pacific Coast,” Peter Chang, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s chief executive, said in a statement. “These are disgusting and intentional acts, many of which are premeditated. We know there are many out there that feel like they are competing with the sea lions for the same resources. However, there’s a pathway for us to co-habitate with these precious marine mammals, and shooting them is not the way.”

Newport Beach police officials could not immediately be reached for comment about the case Tuesday.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.