PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Humane Society of the United States wants a federal judge to head off the capturing or killing of the salmon-eating sea lions in the Columbia River.

KGW photo

Sea lion C-404 has managed to find a way through gates designed to keep him out of the Bonneville Dam area.

The group says that, absent a court order, agents could begin taking the sea lions as soon as next weekend.

It says it asked Friday for an injunction.

The federal government has given Oregon and Washington state the OK to kill as many as 85 sea lions a year.

The Humane Society contends that sea lions aren't nearly the threat to salmon that dams, birds and environmental damage pose.

It says an injunction would preserve the sea lions while its lawsuit is argued.