Headless sea lions reported on Vancouver Island

"Sea lion heads are a sought-after commodity.  

Thomas Sewid believes the recent reports of headless sea lions are evidence of people taking advantage of a growing underground market for sea-lion skulls. Sewid, a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation on Vancouver Island, said he has received more than 120 emails in recent months from taxidermy enthusiasts interested in buying a sea lion skulls.  

 “Right now, there’s a big demand. And there’s no legal supply,” said Sewid. A male steller sea lion skull, with all of its teeth intact, goes for about $4,000 in the underground market, he said."