A sea lion that was rescued on Kitsilano Beach after being shot in the head has been euthanized, according to the Vancouver Aquarium.

A sea lion that was rescued on Kitsilano Beach after being shot in the head has been euthanized, according to the Vancouver Aquarium.

The aquarium's rescue team received a call about the young sea lion, later named Pretzel, on March 18.

Pretzel was found near the Kitsilano Yacht club, and veterinarians believe it was shot in the head with a large calibre full-jacketed bullet and had been suffering for a "quite a few days" before being found.

The aquarium staff said she was unable to eat while trying to recover at the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. She underwent a series of tests, was provided with pain management and specialized attention, but it was not enough to save her.

The aquarium staff said the team made the humane decision to euthanize the animal on April 22.

The centre says up to 80 per cent of the creatures they rescue are eventually returned to their natural habitat.