05/08/08

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ A U.S. Forest Service forensics lab in
Ashland has examined the heads of six sea lions found dead in traps
at Columbia River's Bonneville Dam but has not released its
findings.

Lab director Ken Goddard said Thursday that results have been
sent to federal authorities.

National Marine Fisheries Service spokesman Mark Oswell said
nothing found yet requires toxicology tests for possible poison.

The animals were found Sunday in two traps, with the doors
closed. Initially, the service thought they'd been shot, but that
assumption was dismissed on Wednesday.

The trappings, temporarily suspended, are part of a removal
program to reduce the number of salmon the sea lions eat.

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