Galápagos Sea Lion

The iconic Galápagos sea lion, known scientifically as Zalophus wollebaeki, is a species primarily found in the Galápagos Islands and is part of the eared seal family - look out for their small ear flaps. They are loved by all visitors to the archipelago due to their playful and curious nature, often getting very close to spectators.

They are not considered to be true seals as they are able to rotate their hind flipper which allows them to 'run' at considerable speeds across land, unlike other seal species that can only drag their bodies along the ground.

With average females weighing 80 kilos and the largest males weighing up to 400 kilos, Galápagos sea lions exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism - differences between male and female of the same species.

The aquatic mammals are abundant along much of the archipelago's coastline, with a high chance of seeing them from the moment you first arrive on the islands. While there are many great places to see sea lion colonies, some of the best spots include Bartolome, Isla Lobos near San Cristobal and Gardner Bay on Española.

Galápagos sea lions stay all year round, rarely migrating, but the best time of year to see them is from August to the end of the year as sea lion pups are being born. You may also see the impressive fights for territory between large males, imagine the commotion of up to 400 kilos of blubber smashing into another.

Galápagos sea lions are dotted all over the coasts so the chances of seeing them during land activities is very high. Even whilst snorkeling, they may come up to you and show off with their underwater acrobatic skills. Cruises are also a great way to see them as they involve landing at beaches where you are often greeted by the friendly mammals.

 Galápagos sea lions are an endangered species as they have to endure many threats from other animals and changes in the climate.

Threats

• Sharks and orcas are natural predators, posing a constant risk to sea lions.
• El Niño events - region-specific climate pattern changes which affect ecosystems - cause disruption in marine life that sea lions live off resulting in starvation amongst much of the population.
• Pet dogs that have been brought to the island by humans can transmit diseases to sea lion colonies, causing populations to decrease.
• Plastic pollution also poses a risk to sea lion populations as they can become entangled in floating plastic.

Conservation Efforts

• Various organizations work with the Galápagos National Park Directorate to understand and monitor populations, as well as to protect and rescue injured or unwell sea lions.
• Plastic Pollution Free Galapagos program is working to develop solutions to the polluted seas humans have created which will protect sea lions from the dangers of plastic.