Mile 229 Dispatch

News of a dead sea lion was circulating in our community of Little Whale Cove the week of July 11. Eagles and vultures were spotted near the dead sea lion as well as vultures circling overhead. The stranding message line was called at 541-270-6830. Jim Rice responded right away after a message was left. Jim asked for close up photos of the dead sea lion's flippers and pelt. Jim was very helpful and responsive to emails and photos sent. The pelt was a light gold color. Here's some information about the difference between steller sea lions and California sea lions. "Steller sea lions are much larger than California Sea Lions. Males push 2,500 pounds and 11 feet long (850 pounds and 7 feet for California sea lions) while females weigh close to 1,000 pounds and 9 feet long (220 pounds and 6 feet for California sea lions). Male Stellers also have much thicker necks. Steller sea lions are closer to reddish brown-to-blonde in color, but when wet, both California and Steller sea lions may look very similar in color. Stellers have a more blunt face than California sea lions (shorter snouts, sometimes described as “bear-like”). Male California sea lions develop a bump on their skull, called a sagittal crest, which male Stellers do not have"