Abstract

Healthy, free ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) were captured shortly after arriving on winter feeding grounds using a floating trap anchored off Norris Rock, British Columbia, Canada during January and February of 2005 and 2006 as part of collaborative project between Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada and University of British Columbia. Captured sea lions were anesthetized using Valium (diazepam) and isoflurane anesthesia to deploy ARGOS satellite transmitters/ time depth recorder and to place stomach sensors. Blood was collected and Complete Blood Counts (CBC) and serum chemistries were done on 28 sea lions. Age classes of these sea lion range from .5 years old to adult. Serum samples were also screened for Brucella and Leptospira titres. None of the sea lions had positive titre for Brucella, 15% had suspect titres. Fifteen percent had suspect/ positive titres to Leptospira pomona.