This patient is currently marked as "critical" and under close observation. Their medical status may change from hour to hour, and we may not post news until they are considered stable. The information available here is the most recent, and we will publish updates as they become available.
Colonel Hansen
Patient Record
Nickname: Colonel
Species: California Sea Lion
Patient ID: ZC2602
Admitted on: 2026/04/06
Collection Site: Qualicum Beach
Reason for Admission: Emaciated, Lethargic
Weight at Admission: 150 kg
Patient Status: in care
Time in Care: 4 days
Current Habitat: Harbour Pool
Patients that have already demonstrated that they can eat fish on their own are placed in a pool where they can learn how to compete with other animals.
Transfer History
Received from: (Direct to MMR)
Mode of Transport: BC Ferries
Story
Colonel Hansen (Colonel for short) was rescued after being seen on Qualicum Beach on and off for a few days. Thankfully, he remained in the same location for long enough for our team to respond and admit him to our facility. Colonel is in critical condition and will receive intensive care and undergo diagnostics over the next few days as we work to determine what’s going on.
Name
Named in honour of Canadian astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen who was aboard the Artemis II at the time of this patient's rescue.
Patient Updates
Colonel remains under critical care with ongoing close monitoring. He is receiving fluids and supportive medications as our team continues to assess his condition.
We just so happened to come across this sad guy yesterday and stayed to watch the rescue. Once you were in the kennel and started to wake up, you showed that you still had some fight in you. I sure hope it carries you through the coming days. It would be wonderful for you to be able to return to the wild. I have so many pictures and videos of you.
Awe I am so happy to see that he is now in your care. We as local residents of the area, are so pleased to see this type of organization exist, and happy to know he is being treated. I was able to send some video of our dear Colonel and your team was so great at keeping me updated along the way to his capture. I am hopeful that he will be in our waters again very soon joining his seal family. Thank you again for all your dedication to our marine life.
Be well soon as your health ailment is diagnosed, and you begin eating a good supply of fish provided by your caregivers at Stellar Pool. Once healthy again, may you return to the waters of Vancouver Island meet up with your parents, brothers, sisters and relatives that patrol the east coast, from Campbell River in the north to Victoria in the south.