05/06/08

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ The body of a sea lion has been recovered
from the Columbia River near Portland and its death is under
investigation.

The animal was spotted floating in the river Tuesday near the
Interstate Bridge between Oregon and Washington _ just two days
after six sea lions were found shot to death in traps on the
Columbia near Bonneville Dam.

The body of the sea lion was towed to a Multnomah County
sheriff's river patrol boat dock for storage.

Oregon State Police are investigating the death with state and
federal wildlife agencies.

There was no indication whether the latest sea lion death was
also a killing or whether it was natural causes.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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