A sea lion found horrifically injured with a fishing wire wrapped around its neck has been released back into the sea after a successful recovery.
The animal was rescued by the Mundo Marino Foundation after they were alerted that the animal was left stranded on a beach between the towns of San Clemente and Las Toninas in Argentina on 2nd January.
The video shows the sea lion with the net trapped on its neck, and as rescuers remove it, a deep wound can be seen being caused by the sharp object.
Juan Pablo Loureiro, veterinarian and technical director of the Mundo Marino Foundation said in a statement obtained by Newsflash from Mundo Marino: “Upon entering the Rescue Centre we observed an underweight animal, with a deep and cutting wound on the neck, but with a good attitude.
“In that sense, we first proceeded to extract the fragment of fishing net that caused the wound and then we began to apply an antiseptic substance to the entire injured area to clean and remove all the necrotic tissue.”
The expert added: “The blood parameters indicated to us that he was experiencing an infectious condition.
“That is why we provide antibiotics at a systemic and local level to reverse this condition.
Agony Of Sea Lion Found With Fishing Net Cutting Deep Into Its Flesh
“As the days of rehabilitation went by. The animal showed a good eating attitude, eagerly eating the fish we offered it.
“That, added to a good behavioural attitude and the recovery of his body mass, showed us that he was ready to return to the sea.”
After a month of recovery, the sea lion of the South American Dos Pelos species (Arctocephalus australis) released back to the sea. On the beaches of San Clemente, on 5th February.
It can be seen in the video turning back towards its rescuers as if it wants to thank them before going back to its natural habitat.
Biologist and head of the Rescue Center of the Mundo Marino Foundation, Sergio Rodriguez Heredia, said. ​ “This case ​ is a clear example of the negative impact of our bad actions: contamination by garbage, plastic and remains of nets in the ocean.
“With this case of this little wolf, we see what our carelessness causes in animals.
“But today, in the middle of the season, we also have another important negative impact, which is the harassment of people by healthy specimens, such as sea lions, which come out to rest, or elephant seals, which come out to shed their fur.
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“We always recommend, when found, to maintain a safe distance, not to approach them or try to feed them, since they are carrying out a natural physiological behaviour.”
He added: “Let us remember that taking care of these beautiful creatures is taking care of the environment, and in turn taking care of our health.
“We know that human health, environmental health, and that of these little animals are all linked and that the impacts that we are causing today in the marine environment will sooner or later impact our lives.”
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Story By: Marija Stojkoska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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