MONTEREY: Lots of of California sea lions have taken over San Carlos Seashore in Monterey, California, prompting native officers to shut the world to folks.
Warning tape has been put up, however crowds are nonetheless drawn to the animal spectacle, snapping pictures of the ocean lions as they lounge and play within the sand and water.
Whereas sea lions, or fur seals, are sometimes seen on sure seashores alongside the California coast, locals say they’ve by no means seen so many marine mammals congregate in Monterey.
Lisa Uttal, a marine biologist on the Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, mentioned it was unclear precisely why the ocean lions selected San Carlos Seashore, however they could be attracted by the ecosystem’s wealthy range of meals provides. Nearly all of those who congregated on the seashore had been males, she mentioned.
“They migrate right here from Ventura and the Channel Islands… They’re extremely cellular. They’re normally chasing meals, and since the Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary is so productive right here, the productiveness is admittedly wealthy,” Uttal mentioned.
They had been anticipated to stay at San Carlos Seashore for 3 to 4 weeks, Uttal mentioned.
Marge Brigadier, a volunteer with the Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary’s Bay Web program, mentioned sea lions had been protected by the U.S. Marine Mammal Safety Act of 1972, which prohibits folks from altering the conduct of sea lions, which means getting too shut or forcing them to flee is a violation.
“Individuals simply want to consider how they might really feel in the event that they had been resting in mattress taking a nap and one thing large saved coming and kicking them out of the home,” Brigadier mentioned.
