Sea lion wounded by shotgun blast recovering

<p>SAUSALITO — The Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center is nursing a sea lion that was shot in the head several times back to health.</p><p>KTVU-TV reports that people walking on the south end of a beach near Sausalito found the wounded, seven-foot male sea lion on Wednesday.</p><p>The 340-pound animal's right eye is gone and its left eye is swollen shut. X-rays show a number of shotgun pellets in its head.</p><p>Marine Mammal Center veterinarian Bill Van Bonn says the sea lion, nicknamed "Silent Knight," is finally sleeping and able to relax after being treated.</p><p>But it's too early to know if the animal will regain its health and return to the sea although sea lions are able to survive even without sight.</p><p>Who shot the animal and why is not known. The shooting will be reported to federal wildlife officials.</p><p>___</p><p>Information from: KTVU-TV</p>