Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Rogue Sea Lion Roams Lincoln City Streets - Central Oregon Coast

Published 11/27/21 at 5:32 PM PST
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Rogue Sea Lion Roams Lincoln City Streets - Central Oregon Coast

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter
Southern Oregon Coast Hotels / Lodgings
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; winter deals

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – Maybe she was interested in Black Friday sales? Maybe she was looking for a different kind of seafood in the form of gourmet fish 'n chips? Or perhaps the poor Oregon coast critter simply got lost. (Photos courtesy Lincoln City Police Department)

Either way, Lincoln City police had to deal with an unusual situation early Friday evening as a female sea lion wandered onto a roadway in the Taft district of the central Oregon coast town.

According to Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD), about 5 p.m. dispatchers received reports of a sea lion that had come up from the river and was meandering around the neighborhood at about SE 51st St. Officers arrived on the scene, discovered the sea lion quickly, and nicknamed her Tiffany. They immediately set up a perimeter to ensure she did not get hit by a vehicle.

Officers couldn't help but laugh at the oddball state of affairs. See video of the sea lion

“Tiffany was very content on staying in the middle of the roadway and slowly moved closer to Hwy 101,” the LCPD said on social media.

Since the police department does not normally handle issues like this, they called in help from Oregon State Police Fish and Game and North Lincoln Fire and Rescue.

Officer Plummer from the state police group said he'd never encountered anything like this in his 20 years of being in the area. Indeed, all this set in motion something truly different for officers on scene for the next two hours.

First up was the attempt to entice the animal with her favorite dish: seafood.

The goal was to get her to go back into the water with as little stress to the animal as possible.

One officer was dispatched to nearby Kenny's IGA Village Market to explain they needed gobs of fish to bait this runaway sea lion with. Staff donated several packages of fish and refused to take money, insisting they wanted to do whatever they could to help the curious sea lion out.

“The gift of fish was presented to Tiffany, who was interested in the fish, but was likely too overstimulated and unfortunately was not willing to follow the bait,” LCPD said.

Not unlike a similar situation in Astoria on the north Oregon coast a few years back, those on the scene had to resort to more direct methods. Officers and firemen created a makeshift mobile coral made of plywood to try and urge Tiffany towards the water again. The nearest river access was about three blocks away.

Nudging a wayward sea lion back to its own world is always an intricate endeavor that requires patience. This plan was working with Tiffany, the department said, but it was slow going. Several breaks were needed, often for Tiffany's health, which included a few “refreshing soaks from garden hoses.”

They managed to get her to the access spot, where she “settled down happily” next to a section of small stream, but it was still a rather low tide at the time. However, officers said she was content to hang out in this spot and wait for a higher tide to come back in and cover her, eventually whisking her away to her natural environment.

“Lincoln City Police department would like to extend our thanks to Oregon State Police Sergeant Plummer, the crew and volunteers at North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, and to the many helpful citizens in the area who kept their distance despite wanting to be involved in such a unique situation,” LCPD said.

In March of 2012, Oregon Coast Beach Connection had an amusing encounter with a sea lion that spooked people in the dark on a beach in Lincoln City.

Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours


MORE PHOTOS BELOW





More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....


Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Swarm of Ten Quakes Off S. Oregon Coast, 7 Within Minutes
It started Monday and lasted through Wed morning near Bandon, Port Orford. Marine sciences, geology
Hatfield Marine Science Center's Marine Science Day Returns to Newport, Orego...
Science fair and open house on Saturday, April 13
Astoria, Oregon's Wine Competition Wraps Up, Announces Winners
Nearly 100 wines submitted by 24 wineries
Velella Like a Thick Carpet at Some Oregon Coast Spots
At least one spot near Newport is report large masses. Marine sciences
Oregon History Made as Coastal Lighthouse Near Florence Celebrates 130 Years
Saturday means tours of the BnB, raffles, live music. Florence events, Newport events
Cuteness on Parade: Gleneden Beach Pet Parade March 30 Benefits Oregon Coast ...
Gleneden Beach Pet Party and Parade near Lincoln City. Lincoln City events
South Oregon Coast Spring Break: from Whales to Deserted Beaches
Maybe a new spring break tradition could be in order? Check out these beach vibes. South coast events
Herbert's 'Dune' Not All Sci-Fi: Real Science Behind Oregon Place That Inspir...
OSU has been researching here for decades; Dunes also in trouble. Florence, south Oregon coast

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted