Injury Photos

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Brown pelican flying while entangled in plastic bag wrapped around its neck. I believe the pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis, La Jolla, California
Brown pelican flying while entangled in plastic bag wrapped around its neck. I believe the pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck.
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40093  
California sea lion wounded from entanglement in fishing line, La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion wounded from entanglement in fishing line, La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 35156  
Steller sea lion entanglement, line wrapped around the sea lion's neck, injury and infection from the wound can weaken and kill the animal, Norris Rocks, Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada, Eumetopias jubatus
Steller sea lion entanglement, line wrapped around the sea lion's neck, injury and infection from the wound can weaken and kill the animal, Norris Rocks, Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Species: Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus
Location: Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada
Image ID: 32668  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40486  
North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05909  
California Sea Lion mother with her pup, mother has injury, open wound, La Jolla, California, Zalophus californianus
California Sea Lion mother with her pup, mother has injury, open wound, La Jolla, California.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 36583  
A California brown pelican entangled in a plastic bag which is wrapped around its neck. This unfortunate pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck. Plastic bags kill and injure untold numbers of marine animals each year, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
A California brown pelican entangled in a plastic bag which is wrapped around its neck. This unfortunate pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck. Plastic bags kill and injure untold numbers of marine animals each year.
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 22562  
Female California Sea Lion with Severe Fishing Line Entanglement Injury, in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico. The line is buried in the sea lion's tissue so far that is difficult to see. It is possible this synthetic line will continue to cut into the skin of this sea lion until it succumbs to infection or blood loss. I have never seen any marine mammal rescue teams at the Coronado islands and suspect this poor animal will not live long, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)
Female California Sea Lion with Severe Fishing Line Entanglement Injury, in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico. The line is buried in the sea lion's tissue so far that is difficult to see. It is possible this synthetic line will continue to cut into the skin of this sea lion until it succumbs to infection or blood loss. I have never seen any marine mammal rescue teams at the Coronado islands and suspect this poor animal will not live long.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 39959  
California sea lion with scar around neck from monofiliment fishing line entanglement at Los Islotes in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion with scar around neck from monofiliment fishing line entanglement at Los Islotes in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 31234  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Species: California, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 37835  
Brown pelican, entangled in monofilament fishing line, showing winter mating plumage colors, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla, California
Brown pelican, entangled in monofilament fishing line, showing winter mating plumage colors.
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 28966  
California sea lion injured by fishing line, at Los Islotes in the Southern Sea of Cortez, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion injured by fishing line, at Los Islotes in the Southern Sea of Cortez.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 27419  
Lionness with injury from water buffalo, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, Panthera leo
Lionness with injury from water buffalo, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Species: African lion, Panthera leo
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Image ID: 29915  
California sea lion, with monofiliment cut, on the Monterey Breakwater, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion, with monofiliment cut, on the Monterey Breakwater.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Monterey, California
Image ID: 00958  
California sea lion with serious laceration wound on its hind quarters, La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion with serious laceration wound on its hind quarters, La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40484  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40493  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40495  
California sea lion wounded from entanglement in fishing line, La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion wounded from entanglement in fishing line, La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 35157  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 34278  
Rissos dolphin surfacing with eye showing. Note distinguishing and highly variable skin and dorsal fin patterns, characteristic of this species. White scarring, likely caused by other Risso dolphins teeth, accumulates during the dolphins life so that adult Rissos dolphins are almost entirely white. San Diego, Grampus griseus
Rissos dolphin surfacing with eye showing. Note distinguishing and highly variable skin and dorsal fin patterns, characteristic of this species. White scarring, likely caused by other Risso dolphins teeth, accumulates during the dolphins life so that adult Rissos dolphins are almost entirely white. San Diego.
Species: Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02314  
Rissos dolphin, breaching. Note distinguishing and highly variable skin and dorsal fin patterns, characteristic of this species. White scarring, likely caused by other Risso dolphins teeth, accumulates during the dolphins life so that adult Rissos dolphins are almost entirely white. San Diego, Grampus griseus
Rissos dolphin, breaching. Note distinguishing and highly variable skin and dorsal fin patterns, characteristic of this species. White scarring, likely caused by other Risso dolphins teeth, accumulates during the dolphins life so that adult Rissos dolphins are almost entirely white. San Diego.
Species: Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 00983  
Ocean sunfish injured by boat prop with cleaner fishes, open ocean, Baja California, Mola mola
Ocean sunfish injured by boat prop with cleaner fishes, open ocean, Baja California.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Image ID: 06410  
Ocean sunfish injured by boat prop with cleaner fishes, open ocean, Baja California, Mola mola
Ocean sunfish injured by boat prop with cleaner fishes, open ocean, Baja California.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Image ID: 06411  
A Rissos dolphin leaps from the ocean in a full breach. Note distinguishing and highly variable skin and dorsal fin patterns, characteristic of this species. White scarring, likely caused by other Risso dolphins teeth, accumulates during the dolphins life so that adult Rissos dolphins are almost entirely white. Offshore near San Diego, Grampus griseus
A Rissos dolphin leaps from the ocean in a full breach. Note distinguishing and highly variable skin and dorsal fin patterns, characteristic of this species. White scarring, likely caused by other Risso dolphins teeth, accumulates during the dolphins life so that adult Rissos dolphins are almost entirely white. Offshore near San Diego.
Species: Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 07597  
A California brown pelican entangled in a plastic bag which is wrapped around its neck. This unfortunate pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck. Plastic bags kill and injure untold numbers of marine animals each year, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, La Jolla
A California brown pelican entangled in a plastic bag which is wrapped around its neck. This unfortunate pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck. Plastic bags kill and injure untold numbers of marine animals each year.
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 22564  
Brown pelican flying while entangled in plastic bag wrapped around its neck. I believe the pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis, La Jolla, California
Brown pelican flying while entangled in plastic bag wrapped around its neck. I believe the pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck.
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40106  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40489  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40494  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Species: California, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 37830  
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla, Zalophus californianus
California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39054  
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All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.