SEAPORT VILLAGE — SeaWorld rescue workers tried unsuccessfully to capture an injured 500-pound sea lion with what appeared to be a gaff hook impaled in its side near downtown Thursday. SeaWorld officials were notified by law enforcement authorities that an injured sea lion was spotted, spurring rescuers to action near Seaport Village, said SeaWorld spokesman David Koontz. “They attempted to try and net the animal so they could assist it, but it went back into the water,” Koontz said. Once the sea lion appears again in an accessible area, animal rescuers will attempt to catch it, remove the hook and give the sea lion antibiotics. SeaWorld staff has not been able to fully assess the wound because the animal eluded captors. “Even though they [sea animals] have an open wound, the salt water acts as a good healer for them,” Koontz said. Sea lions living in the wild can weigh more than 700 pounds. “You are dealing with a really large animal here, so you have to be quite careful,” Koontz said. SeaWorld rescuers remain on call and have several hoop-nets that can be used to capture the injured the sea lion should it reappear. “If we are able to assist the animal, we will give it our best shot,” Koontz said. It is likely that the sea lion has been swimming injured in San Diego Bay for a couple days, Koontz said.