Aggressive sea lion forces closure of Powell River fish cleaning stations

An aggressive sea lion has prompted the closure of fish cleaning stations in Powell River, B.C.

The animal, dubbed "Walter" by locals, was first spotted city's north harbourlast year. Since then, the California sea lion has returned, showing little fear of people.

"It's getting very close to the dock," said Shawn Cator, the city's operations manager.

"You'd be withintwo or three feet of the animal [standing on the dock].It was a little too close."

Cator saidthat, over time, the animal wasattracted back to the harbour for food becauseworkerscleaningfish at the stations usually throw scraps into the water.

The manageradded that visitorsarealso causing problems.

"We did hear incidents of peoplewantingto takephotosof the sea lion andenticingit with food," said Cator. "It'sgetting a little bit more aggressive."

In an effort to encourage the animal to leave, the harbour authoritydecided to temporarilyshut downthe fish cleaning station earlier this week.

The sea lion hasn't been seen since then, so Cator said the closure may have done the trick.

'Walter' returns

The manager said officials are convinced it's the same sea lion returning over and over on account of its characteristic aggressive behaviour and willingness to approach people.

"The indications are that it is the same lion," Cator told CBC's On The Coast.

On May 20, a sea lionsnatched a six-year-old girl into the waterafter she sat on the edge of a dock in Richmond, B.C. She required medical treatment for a superficial wound but it's believed she'll make a full recovery.

Cator said the incident is another reminder about the danger of getting too closeto sea lions.

"They look harmless, but they'renot," he said."We want tomake sure peopleare aware of that."

With files from CBC's All Points West