Injured harbour seal Annette rescued after gillnet entanglement near Vancouver

A young harbour seal named Annette has been rescued after becoming trapped in a gillnet off West Vancouver. The animal was found severely injured and underweight last Thursday. Veterinarians at the Vancouver Aquarium are now treating her for life-threatening wounds.

The rescue took place in early January 2026, when the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre team spotted Annette struggling in the water. The gillnet had been wrapped around her neck for weeks, possibly months, cutting deep into her skin. As a result, she was too weak to feed properly and weighed only half of what a healthy seal should.

Dr. Martin Haulena, the aquarium's head veterinarian, immediately began treatment. Annette received antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, disinfectants, and painkillers to fight infection and ease her suffering. The team expects her to remain in care for another four to six weeks before she can return to the wild.

The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society handles over 300 marine animal emergencies each year. Many involve animals caught in fishing gear or other debris, a growing problem for local wildlife.

Annette's recovery will take time, but her condition has stabilised since the rescue. Once fully healed, she will be released back into her natural habitat. The incident highlights the ongoing risks marine animals face from discarded or lost fishing equipment.