Puerto Arista, Jalisco — Environmental officials are monitoring a Guadalupe Island sea lion in the Puerto Arista Beach Sanctuary. He is a subadult male, 1.70 meters tall, in excellent condition and showing no signs of malnutrition or dehydration, they reported.
The National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conap), through the Southern Border, Isthmus, and South Pacific Regional Directorate, in coordination with the Puerto Arista Beach Sanctuary, reports the arrival of a sea lion from Guadalupe Island, Baja California.
Following a report from a fisherman, Conanp personnel and the community group for the stranding of marine mammals, as well as the Secretariat of Environment and Natural History went to Puerto Arista to locate the specimen.
He was visually assessed from a safe distance. No indication was observed that would suggest the specimen was stranded. It is in excellent condition, showing no signs of malnutrition or dehydration, and only comes out to rest on the beach, Conanp said in a statement.
Although this marine mammal is outside its natural range, these sightings are not isolated. The Galapagos fur seal and an elephant seal have also been reported.
The cause of these movements of marine fauna to sites far from their distribution range can be attributed to natural conditions, such as anomalies in ocean currents or the health conditions of the specimens.
It is currently under on-site surveillance on Puerto Arista beach, observing its behavior and future movements. The population is recommended to respect the specimen’s living space, not disturb its prescience, not throw food or objects, it seeks its own food.
Physical surveillance of the specimen will be maintained until it decides to resume its course into the sea. Sea lions are a protected species in Mexico.
