Watch CBS News

Shot Sea Lion Found On Burlingame Freeway Euthanized

SAUSALITO (CBS SF) - A sea lion that crossed U.S. Highway 101 in Burlingame on Saturday after being shot in the face had to be euthanized, a spokesman for the Marine Mammal Center said Wednesday.

The female sea lion, named "Broadway Bound" for the route she took toward the Highway 101 Broadway off-ramp, was euthanized after preliminary tests indicated that she might suffer from toxic algae poisoning.

The animal was taken to the Sausalito-based center where veterinarians found she had recently suffered a gunshot wound to the face, spokesman Jim Oswald said.

Broadway Bound was the sixth sea lion treated by the center for a gunshot wound this year. No information is available about a possible suspect in the most recent shooting, and no arrests have been made in any of the year's previous cases, Oswald said.

"A lot of the cases can't even be investigated," he said. "Without a witness, it's really, really hard."

Anyone with information about the shooting of Broadway Bound or another sea lion is encouraged to call the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's tip line at (800) 853-1964.

To report a distressed marine mammal, call the Marine Mammal Center at (415) 289-SEAL.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.