Sea lions died of overheating

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Six protected sea lions found dead in government traps this month died of overheating, not gunshots, as had been initially suspected, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service in Portland.

Investigators had suspected foul play after finding sea lions covered in blood and puncture wounds inside a trap at a dam between Washington and Oregon. But a review found that the deaths were consistent with heat exhaustion.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta