Last week, a young sea lion lay dying on the coast near Seaside. Although her condition was completely treatable, authorities were adamant that no treatment would be provided: They decreed that nature should take its course with the animal, and that they felt they needed to “keep humans out of the equation.” This might have made more sense, had the sea lion not been sick and malnourished in the first place due to human interference in the ocean ecosystem. It is also interesting to note that NMFS was one of the agencies dictating a “hands off” approach regarding the sick animal. This agency, after all, has allowed the very violent human intervention into the affairs of the sea lions of the Pacific NW, in the form of the “lethal removal” program on the Columbia that has already cost more than a dozen sea lions their lives. Thankfully, this is Cascadia, and here, we like to think (and act) for ourselves.

Here in the NW, we follow our hearts more faithfully than we follow the dictates of people who consider themselves to be “The Authorities.” And so the people of Seaside began bringing fresh water to the sea lion dubbed Sadie by the nearby community. Someone brought a water bowl, and others brought jugs of water to replenish her each day. While a nearby sign commanded that no one approach the sick animal, mysterious hands filled her water dish each day. She gratefully drank the water to stave off the kidney and liver dysfunctions that normally set in when an animal this sick cannot get to the water. Still, she struggled with a severe bacterial infection. In California, an animal stranded in this condition would have been brought to one of several marine mammal centers to be treated with antibiotics. In Oregon, however, the laws are different. According to one source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, rescue agencies in Oregon are required to get the permission of the National Marine Fisheries Service before rendering assistance to a sick marine mammal, and the NMFS was denying that permission. Since Sadie is not an endangered species, she was to be allowed to suffer. Legally, there was nothing anyone could do for her except to watch her suffer from afar.

This is not what happened, though. Sometimes, the heart is stronger than the law.

Unwilling and unable to sit back and watch from a distance while an animal suffered for days with an easily treatable condition, a crew of compassionate pirates decided to act. After doing some extensive research into the matter, they procured a bottle of antibiotics and a handful of syringes, and set out for the coast. Stealthily, they approached the animal, only to find another person already there. The parties all eyed each other suspiciously, ready to defend each other and the animal. And then, they discovered that they were all there for the same purpose: The mystery woman held in her hand a bottle of the very same antibiotic, and the very same gauge needle. It seems that everyone had done their research.

Interestingly, the pirate crew discovered evidence of Tetracycline, another antibiotic, in Sadie’s water. So it seems that there are more pirates out there than it at first appeared. Who knows how many people in the community had decided to treat this sea lion under cover of darkness.

Given the possibility that Sadie was receiving meds from many sources, there was some concern about over-medicating her. However, after some discussion, it was decided that it was very important that the infection be treated aggressively, and that too little antibiotic would probably be worse than a little too much at this point. And so it was agreed that Sadie should receive the injection, and that it should be followed up by one of the party. So the pirates gently approached the animal, who seemed to understand that they were there to help. After some initial resistance, she allowed them to deftly insert the needle, and the injection was successfully given. She received 2ccs of antibiotics by injection, twice a day, for three days. (That I know of. In addition to whatever else she was given by pirates unknown to me.)

And so, Sadie has been treated for her infection by a compassionate community. During the course of treatment, at one point a man approached to demand that everyone leave the area and avoid treating the animal. He was intent that “nature” should take her course with the animal, even though Sadie was most likely sick due to human interference in her environment. Even he had to acknowledge, though, that Sadie was looking much better. (I don’t think he knew that she had been receiving antibiotics for two days at that point.) When he insisted that no one treat her, he was asked by the party to leave. It was explained to him that this animal was going to be treated, whether he wanted it or not. He backed off. I believe he was probably a volunteer, there to monitor the animal for the NMFS, but I can’t be sure. (I do know that at least one person involved with marine mammal rescue operations on the coast knew that the animal was being treated, before the Pirates even got back that day.)

There are those who believe that the administration of medications to this animal by “unprofessionals,” under wild conditions on the coast, was wrong. They have labeled such actions “harassment,” and have accused those who would do such a thing of stressing the animal. They also point out that antibiotics are tricky business, and the correct type and dosage are essential. Indeed. It would have been preferable, I’m sure, to have the animal treated by a veterinarian in a controlled rescue facility. However, no “professionals” were willing to step in and do the job – at least not officially. And so, there was little choice. Sadie would have died if she had not been treated. Therefore, it was time for some Pirate DIY.

So what was the result of this “unprofessional” and “vigilante” treatment plan? You might be left to wonder whether the animal was poisoned with the wrong medicine or the wrong dose. Or perhaps the stress caused her condition to deteriorate. Maybe the animal turned on her would-be good Samaritans and injured them? No, indeed. In fact, the treatment was successful!

In spite of official obstructionism and dire predictions, Sadie appears to have made a full recovery! After a long, rough battle, Sadie’s illness began to subside. Her worrisome nasal discharges and other symptoms disappeared, and she grew healthier. At approximately 4:30am on Saturday morning, having regained her strength and vigor, Sadie swam off into the ocean. By all accounts, she is doing very well.

Yay team! Viva la Pirates!

Here’s to the community of Seaside, to the mystery woman with the syringe, and to the Pirates, for not taking No for an answer! YES!

This entry was posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 6:25 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.