A whole lot of California sea lions have taken over San Carlos Seaside in Monterey, California, prompting native officers to shut the world to individuals.
Warning tape has been put up however crowds are nonetheless drawn to the animal spectacle, taking images of the ocean lions as they relaxation and play on the sand and within the water.
Whereas sea lions, or eared seals, are sometimes seen at sure seashores up and down the California coast, native residents say they’ve by no means seen so most of the marine mammals gathered in Monterey.
Lisa Uttal, a marine biologist with the Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, stated it was unclear precisely why the ocean lions selected San Carlos Seaside, however they might be interested in the wealthy variety within the ecosystem’s meals provide. Just about all these gathered on the seaside have been male, she stated.
“They migrate up right here down from Ventura and the Channel Islands … They’re extremely cellular. They’re normally chasing the meals and since Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary is so productive out right here, the productiveness is absolutely wealthy,” Uttal stated.
They have been anticipated to stay on San Carlos Seaside for 3 to 4 weeks, Uttal stated.
Marge Brigadier, a volunteer with Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary’s Bay Web program, stated the ocean lions have been protected by the U.S. Marine Mammal Safety Act of 1972, which prohibits individuals from altering the conduct of the ocean lions, that means that approaching too shut or forcing them to flee is a violation.
“Folks simply want to consider how they’d really feel in the event that they have been resting on their mattress taking a nap and one thing massive saved coming and chasing them out of the home,” Brigadier stated.
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