A wildlife official waits for an opportunity to fire a tranquillizing dart at a sea lion in distress near Victoria. (B.C. Marine Mammal Response Program)

Marine mammal rescuers are celebrating after cutting loose a Steller sea lion that was entangled in rope off the southern tip of Vancouver Island.

The federal Fisheries Department and the B.C. Marine Mammal Response Program got a call last week that the 500-kilogram sea lion was tangled up in the rope that had then wrapped around a large rock near Race Rocks, off Victoria.

A five-person team headed out last Thursday to try to get near the mammal, which could move only about three metres off the rock and likely hadn't eaten in days. Vancouver Aquarium veterinarian Marty Haulena said Monday they were able to sedate the sea lion and cut off the rope, which had cut into a flipper and rubbed it raw.

Despite the injuries, the sea lion seemed healthy and was recovering before the team left.

Steller sea lions are listed as a species of special concern under the federal Species At Risk Act.

Rescue workers were able to get close to the sea lion to remove the rope after the mammal was tranquilized. (B.C. Marine Mammal Response Program)

The marine mammal rescue team was formed two years ago to save animals entangled in marine debris such as ropes and plastic.