The sea lion that was rescued in Uvita lost the battle for life. According to reports from the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), the animal died on March 14th.
The animal was assisted with fluid therapy and it was fed due to the state of advanced malnutrition it presented. According to the studies, it also had lung lesions, which could be the main cause of death. However, its remains were transferred to SENASA Veterinary Service Laboratory to perform a necropsy.
It was a 110-cm-long female adult animal, whose weight, 16 kilos, was less than the minimum reported for an adult female of this species (Arctocephalus galapagoensis).
Since its rescue, on March 11th, it had been under the medical supervision of specialists from the Pacific Marine Park, SENASA, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the National Coast Guard Service (SNG), the National System of Conservation Areas of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE).
According to SENASA information, sea lions have been frequently reported on the Costa Rican coast since 2010.
Their arrival on these coasts would be associated with environmental conditions, which cause these animals to move from their habitat and look for food beyond their territorial limits. They could also be weak animals moved by the sea currents.