Tufted puffins in the USA

This video from the USA says about itself:

Ten Tufted and Horned Puffins were released at Cannon Beach, Oregon following rehabilitation by the Wildlife Center of the North Coast. May 7, 2012.

From Associated Press today:

Wildlife agency wants to protect tufted puffins

1 hour ago

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington wildlife managers want to list tufted puffins as an endangered species in the state, while removing protective status for Stellar sea lions.

This is a wrong spelling by Associated Press. They are called Steller sea lions, named for the naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller.

The native seabirds, with striking feathers and a bright orange bill, were once common in the San Juan Islands and along the coast.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife says there’s been a dramatic decline in their historic breeding sites in recent decades.

Meanwhile, the agency says the population of Stellar sea lions that range from southeast Alaska to northern California has grown steadily and should be removed from the state’s threatened species list.

The federal government removed that population from federal protection in 2013.

The state is seeking public comment this month. A public hearing is scheduled next month.

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