The states of Oregon and Washington agreed on Wednesday to suspend euthanizing sea lions caught feasting on endangered Columbia River salmon until September while the courts consider a lawsuit challenging such killings.
The states contend that the California sea lions, which swim 140 miles upstream from the Pacific Ocean to gorge on salmon and steelhead trout at the Bonneville Dam, are a threat
The Humane Society of the United States filed suit on Friday seeking to stop Oregon and Washington state from euthanizing sea lions caught feasting on endangered salmon in the Columbia River at the Bonneville Dam.
Last week, the National Marine Fisheries Service gave the two states permission to resume capturing and killing California sea lions deemed to be the most egregious offenders.
