Sea lions will live to see a few more days after a federal appeals court ruled that the animals could be trapped, but none could be killed this spring. Animals rights groups were up in arms over the announcement from the National Marine Fisheries Service last month that the creatures in the the Columbia River could be killed to protect the sparse salmon population in the region. During the spring salmon run in Washington and Oregon, the sea lions eat a large number of the migrating U.S. Pacific Northwest salmon, which are dwindling in numbers. In an effort to combat the problem, Oregon's Department of Fish and Wildlife were granted permission to do away with as many as 85 sea lions every year for a total of five years if other non-fatal measures such as rubber bullets were ineffective.

Naturally the Humane Society of the United States were pretty choked by the decision and have been fighting to save the sea lions since. Their request had already been rejected by a lower court, however a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in their favor this week, saying:

“The lethal taking of California sea lions is, by definition, irreparable. This logic also applies to the salmon consumed by the sea lions.”

The decision will only be effective for the spring run of the salmon, however the sea lions usually vacate the area in May and a final decision is expected before next year's annual run begins.

Instead of packing a suitcase for a trip to sea lion heaven, the creatures will be sent to zoos and marine parks when they are caught.

» MSNBC Environment