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Sea lions gobbling fragile fish in US Northwest survival war

The federally protected California sea lions are traveling into the Columbia River and its tributaries to snack on fragile fish populations.
Credit: KING
Two bulls squabble over position at the base of the Columbia River dam.

Two species of fish listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act are facing a growing challenge in Oregon from hungry sea lions.

The federally protected California sea lions are traveling into the Columbia River and its tributaries to snack on fragile fish populations.

After a decade killing the hungriest sea lions in one area, wildlife officials now want to do so at Willamette Falls, a waterfall in the Willamette River about 25 miles southeast of Portland.

The falls represent a new battleground in a bizarre survival war between fish and sea lions in the Pacific Northwest.

Opponents say sea lions are not the only problem facing the fish and shouldn't shoulder all the blame.

WATCH: Sea lions ward off attacking orcas in Puget Sound

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