"Amid debate over the government's response to salmon-eating sea lions, which includes killing the mammals with gunshots or injections, a parallel but very different predator-prey phenomenon has evolved.
Sea lions have gone from practically ignoring sturgeon at the dam to eating them by the hundreds, which could eventually threaten the fish and force wildlife experts to make some difficult choices.
"Sturgeon is now on the menu," said John North, Columbia River program manager for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
In 2005, sea lions were observed eating only one white sturgeon at Bonneville. Last year they ate about 800."
Read "Steller sea lions gobbling up sturgeon below Bonneville Dam"
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