Rescue planned for injured sea lion

Conservation officers are planning to rescue a sea lion with a rope embedded deep in its neck that was spotted Sunday in Fanny Bay, south of Courtenay, B.C.

Paul Cottrell, the marine mammal coordinator with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said a team is being put together to rescue the animal.

"If the entanglement doesn't break off on its own, it's almost certainly going to be a lethal situation. So we're looking to put together our expert team to go have a look and assess," said Cottrell.

But Cottrell said the team will not be able to rescue the sea lion before next week because a key member is away for the holidays.