A juvenile harbour seal named Annette is now in intensive care after being rescued in West Vancouver with a severe gillnet entanglement that caused a life-threatening injury to her neck.
In a social media post of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, the rescue society introduced Annette as its newest admit, saying she was found with monofilament fishing gear deeply embedded in her neck, creating a critical and dangerous wound.
Annette weighs just 18.2 kilograms, which is only about half of what a healthy harbour seal of her age should weigh, underscoring the seriousness of her condition when she was brought in, the rescue society noted in a statement.
The post said Annette is now receiving intensive care that includes wound management, antibiotics, pain control, and nutritional support as she begins her recovery. Her case also highlights the risks that improperly handled or discarded fishing gear pose to marine wildlife, particularly when animals become entangled in it.
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society added that reporting entanglements immediately is critical because it allows trained responders to locate and help affected animals as quickly as possible, increasing their chances of survival.
