BONNEVILLE , Ore., May 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service says six sea lions were shot and killed in Oregon by unknown culprits who closed the gates of two traps.
Brian Gorman, a spokesman for the service, said the four California sea lions and two Steller sea lions were found dead Sunday in two floating government traps, which he said were not closed by authorized fisheries and wildlife officials or workers, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Monday.
Gorman said the traps were located in the Columbia River, downriver of the Bonneville Dam.
The spokesman said the shooting of the protected species is the deadliest in recent memory.
"Usually it has not been quite as blatant as this. This is pretty bold," he said.
The trapping program, which is aimed at protecting the area's salmon population, has been suspended pending an investigation of the incident.
