WebPosted Aug 11 2003 10:10 AM PDT

Aquarium acquires more sea lions pups

VANCOUVER - CBC News has learned the Vancouver Aquarium has obtained six new stellar sea lion pups as part of an ongoing research program.

The pups were 10 days old when they were captured just over a month ago off the north coast of Vancouver Island.

The sea lions are the fourth batch of pups to arrive at the Aquarium over the last 10 years, as subjects of experiments looking at diet and metabolism.

The head of the Aquarium, Dr. John Nightingale, says the pups were captured as part of an effort to save the species.

"It's the whole issue of why is this species threatening to disappear from earth that is the subject of this research," he says.

But Peter Hamilton of the Lifeforce animal rights group is opposed to the research on captive animals, calling it inhumane.

"We're going to campaign to have them set free," he says. "However, there is a great chance they will end up in captivity for the rest of their lives."

The vice chair of the Vancouver Park Board also has questions. Anita Romaniuk wants to know why the Aquarium didn't inform the board or the public of its plans.