On Our Blogs: sea lions, pelicans, subways

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SEA LION SHOOTINGS: At least four sea lions have been found with bullet wounds along Los Angeles County beaches since this year began. The latest incident occurred on Feb 3, when a 9-month-old pup had to be euthanised after his spine had been severed by a bullet on Dockweiler Beach. Authorities do not have enough evidence to track down leads, but Marine Animal Rescue is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the shootings.

PELICAN RECOVERY: The California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to remove the California brown pelican from the endangered species list due to recovery. After 38 years of protection, there are an estimated 8,500 breeding pairs of pelicans. The Office of Administrative Law will still have to review the decision, but it will remain illegal to harm or kill Californian brown pelicans.

FORBIDDEN FOIE GRAS: West Hollywood’s City Council passed a resolution to support California’s ban on the sale and production of foie gras in restaurants around the city. Foie gras, the fatty liver of an overfed duck or goose, is a ‘product of animal torture,’ the council declared. A statewide law banning the practice of force-feeding these birds will take effect in July 2012.

L.A. SUBWAY PANEL: ‘Waiting for the Train’ will feature a discussion on the effects of Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase directed for transportation projects within LA County. Audiences can direct questions to the panel, which will include Los Angeles planning chief Gail Goldberg, Metropolitan Transportation Authority planning chief Carol Inge and MTA official Roger Moliere. L.A. Times writer Steve Hymon will be attending, and questions for the panelists can be sent to him.

NISSAN’S NEW GREEN CARS: Tennessee is jumping on the green-wagon, thanks to Nissan’s headquarters in Nashville and its aggressive battery electric vehicle (BEV) program. On Monday, the automaker announced plans to bring a BEV to the U.S. by late 2010, which will be Versa-sized and have a 100-mile range. Tennessee plans to provide plug-in stations in public parking lots and help with the marketing of battery electric vehicles. L.A. Times writer Dan Neil has the full scoop here.

-- Stephanie Chang