BONNEVILLE, Ore. – A second sea lion recently trapped as part of an effort by wildlife managers to protect endangered salmon and steelhead has been euthanized.

Authorities said the California sea lions were trapped because it had been regularly feeding in the waters below Bonneville Dam.

The initial plan was to relocate the first sick animal to a zoo or aquarium, but a health exam revealed that it had a lesion that was potentially contagious. A state veterinarian made the decision to put the animal down.

Rick Hargrave Information and Education, Deputy Administrator ODFW

“Our primary goal is to place healthy animals in the approved facilities that have asked to receive them,” said Rick Hargrave, with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“This animal had an infectious disease that was potentially contagious and could not be placed in a zoo or aquarium without endangering other animals,” he said.

Veterinarians said test results showed the same thing for a second animal that was also trapped Wednesday.

Last year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration granted Oregon, Washington and Idaho the authority to trap, transfer or lethally control California sea lions caught feeding on federally protected salmon and steelhead. More: Judge approves plan to kill sea lions

Trapping and removal operations at Bonneville Dam will continue through mid-May. Up to six more animals will be relocated – five to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Tex. and one more to the Shedd Aquarium. Other animals that are trapped and cannot be placed will be lethally removed, according to Hargrave.