On Tue, 25 Sep 2001 07:18:28 -0700, Ed <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Thanks Shep, I found it interesting. I'd worry that
>instead of bolting after the noose was tightened, the
>sea lion would charge the diver.
<snip of the kiwi shears>

I had the same thoughts about charging. The sight of 2 divers scrambling
out of the way of their lassoed catch, while dangerous, must also look very
funny. Reading that the adult sea lions are quite wary of divers is good
news as you wouldnt one of them racing in to defend the young at the wrong
moment.

We can dive with our male population of sea lions off Perth at Carnac
Island without incident .. and the female group up at Jurien Bay after they
have had their young. I am glad they don't look as ugly or weigh as much as
the elephant seal as I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end if one of
those turned nasty.

Thanks for the posting the interesting article Shep.
Viv

>--- Shep Griswold <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> I'm in Anchorage,Alaska,USA for a few days and
>> I thought that this article from the local
>> newspaper would amuse some of you on the list.
>______________________________________________________
>>
>> Divers lasso sea lions
>> By Doug O'harra
>> Anchorage Daily News
>>
>> (Published: September 24, 2001) As populations of
>> the endangered Steller sea
>> lions crashed throughout the Gulf of Alaska and the
>> Aleutian Chain, biologists
>> began worrying about low survival among juveniles.
>> But the young animals --
>> skittish adolescents that sport up to 300 pounds of
>> muscle and mouths of impressive
>> teeth -- were almost impossible to capture on shore
>> for health studies or satellite
>> tagging.
>
>
>
>__________________________________________________
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