Sea lions gather at “haul-outs”, where the two species loaf side-by-side. Many move as far north as British Columbia, and Alaska, and this is the most abundant sea lion in our waters through most of the year. They are further distinguished by their longer necks and external ears. Some may reach 1000 kilograms, with a body length of up to three metres. Originally posted via @tasti, The #VictoriaOperaticSociety wants you to Have You, Historic #TrounceAlley in Victoria, #BritishColumb, Orca Dreams: Whale watching in ultimate camping comfort in the wilderness off Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait & Broughton Archipelago Expedition in BC, EMR Vacation Rentals: Victoria, Vancouver, Whistler…, Camping on Vancouver Island without a Reservation, Quaint Telegraph Cove, Northern Vancouver Island, BC, Whale Watching and Fishing in Ucluelet, BC, Digitization of Canada’s Historical Narratives of Exploration. Females will gather in groups before the mating begins and will mount each other along with males. Mothers will stay with the pups for the first 10 days before going to hunt for food. Subscribe to our newsletter and get exclusive offseason deals. Decapitated sea lions are washing ashore on Vancouver Island, Canada and experts suggest humans are at fault. Having an exciting weekend of adventure with our O, A picture is worth a thousand words... See more he, An incredible thing to experience up close! Neck Point Park: Picturesque seaside trail with barking sea lions. They pass these early spring days by sunbathing on the rocks off Vancouver Island, enjoying nothing more than dipping in and out the ocean to cool off… and saying hello to the local scuba divers! Sea lions have become a nuisance to herring and salmon fisherman as well as around salmon and trout hatcheries and river mouths. Anna Corridor is a marine mammal zoologist at Sea View Marine Sciences. The male, or bull, is a huge animal, with an average weight of about 700 kilograms. You hear them before you see them. The number of California Sea lions wintering in BC have been increasing since the 1970s along with the increased numbers in California and Mexico. If you’re wandering around the seawall in Stanley Park or spending time near in Granville Island, chances are there is a seal nearby.Keep your eyes … The “dogs of the sea” are a common sight in Vancouver and are most often seen near popular fishing areas. And we may be greeted by jumping Salmon, snorting Sea Lions, squadrons of Black Oyster Catchers, or low-flying Tufted Puffins. The numbers along the US coast line have gone from an estimated 50,000 in 1970 to 300,000 today. All rights reserved. One sea lion can eat 10,000 salmon fry in a night’s feeding. The two may be found together, but they are here for different reasons. Long Beach: Great place to see the sea lions - See 1,235 traveler reviews, 611 candid photos, and great deals for Tofino, Canada, at Tripadvisor. The number of California Sea lions wintering in BC have been increasing since the 1970s along with the increased numbers in California and Mexico. Vancouver is situated on the banks of the Fraser River and its large estuary, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. If the OP just wants to see them. Long Beach: Great place to see the sea lions - See 1,235 traveler reviews, 611 candid photos, and great deals for Tofino, Canada, at Tripadvisor. — The nets of a salmon farm ensnared and drowned 51 California sea lions earlier this month, more than in all of 2006, a spokesman for the Vancouver Island fish-farm operator says. They are sometimes seen on the rocks beside the ferry route through Active Pass, and at Race Rocks near Victoria, among many other suitable rocky islets. Enter your email address to receive updates to your Vancouver Island Blog by email. They are often mixed together during winter months and it should be fairly easy to identify the smaller darker California sea lions. Numbers of pups being born every year have been steadily increasing since the 1970s to a possible over population. Recent widely-circulated photos of decapitated seals and sea lions have rekindled debate about a Vancouver Island commercial pinniped harvest. Color California sea lions are usually a dark brown/blackish color compared to the Steller sea lions which are a often a light tan or reddish brown color. Scores of residents and visitors alike take to the fishing wharf in the Bay to witness the smelly creatures lounging and barking. Short has been finding decapitated sea lions on various beaches on Vancouver Island, from Nanaimo to Lantzville to Campbell River. During summer months most California sea lions head down to the rookeries in California to mate. The California males can weigh up to 400kg (900lbs) compared to the Steller males max weight of 2500 lbs (1120 kg). Steller’s that breed in nearby southeast Alaska have also increased from about 11,000 to 20,000 animals over the same period. Around 65,000 pups are born yearly along the coast and most stay in nurseries until they are able to go hunting with the mother. A sea lion soaks up the sun on a jetty near the mouth of the Fraser River in this photo from David Price, submitted through Weather Watch by … Vancouver Island Tourism Vancouver Island … Sea lions, unlike the ubiquitous Harbour Seal of the coast, are able to move about on land using their four flippers. We know only the basics about these sea lions, including their anatomy and mating habits. The bulls compete with each other to maintain a harem of females, defending a territory for up to sixty days. A 500 kg Stellar sea lion was rescued this week after being entangled in plastic garbage in a marine protected area off the coast of Vancouver Island. At least 600 tonnes are taken annually. The population is increasing, following decades of harvesting for meat and oil, and as threats to the commercial fishery. Weight California sea lions and Steller sea lions are the two most common sea lions on Vancouver Island. California Sea Lions breed to the south of British Columbia, and after the breeding season, the bulls disperse. I agree to get exclusive offseason deals in newsletter. The harvesting proposal is being made by Pacific Balance Marine Management, the group that posted the photos as … B.C.’s population of Steller’s sea lions, which breed in three rookeries in northern British Columbia, has more than doubled since the early 1970s, to between 13,400 and 18,800 animals, including 2,300 pups (survey conducted by the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo). 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They are seasonal (I think) It is mostly male California sea lions that spend from September to May here since the females usually stay all year in California and Oregon. There are two species of sea lions that occur in British Columbia waters. Steller and California Sea Lions gather in Cowichan Bay to gorge themselves on spawning salmon and bask in the sun on the breakwater. California Sea Lions are mostly seen in the southern half of Vancouver Island though will go as far as southern Alaska. From December through April, sea lions converge on the east side of Vancouver Island to feed on herring that are returning to spawn. While a lovely big city spot, the Coal Harbour we are talking about is a northern Vancouver Island marine hub, and equally worth the visit. Vancouver Island numbers California Sea Lions are mostly seen in the southern half of Vancouver Island though will go as far as southern Alaska. Free shipping for many products! In 2013, four headless sea lions were found on Vancouver Island beaches. Vancouver Island’s Coal Harbour When searching the web for things to do near “Coal Harbour”, Google always shares info about the downtown area of Vancouver. There are large colonies of Steller’s, or Northern, Sea Lions off northern Vancouver Island, and off the southern end of Haida Gwaii, the former Queen Charlotte Islands. Steller’s Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) A resident stumbled upon five … In 2014, at least 12 headless seal carcasses were found on the banks of the St. Lawrence in Quebec. There is a 12-month reproductive cycle which includes 3 month period for the egg to get fertilized and a 9 month gestation period. The log booms at the pulp mill at Harmac has been a good spot to see both species, and further north, off French Creek, the herring spawn can produce a wildlife spectacle of epic proportions. - See 432 traveler reviews, 147 candid photos, and great deals for Nanaimo, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Seals. In that part of the North Pacific, 700 kilometres northwest of B.C., a general shift in biological makeup of the sea has reduced the amount of oily fish, and increased the amount of pollock in their diet, which is far less nutritious than fish like salmon or herring. Our sea kayaking options include a variety of day-trip routes, distances, shoreline types, and sea conditions to satisfy the range of guests' interests and comforts. Steller’s sea lions in the Gulf of Alaska, west of Prince William Sound, were declared endangered in 1997. vancouverisland.com/things-to-do-and-see/wildlife-viewing/sealions Feeding Prey for the California sea lion includes salmon, hake, herring, pilchards, anchovies, squid, small sharks, and rock fish. Copyright 2018 © Discover Vancouver Islands. Read more about the increased sea lion population here…. Salmon make up about 10% of their diet though for some salmon make a great percentage. Tell us proposals, you are interested in: Farmers Markets/Products on Vancouver Island. https://www.sportdiver.com/snorkeling-with-sea-lions-in-mexico. Bulls may weigh up to 350 kilograms, and the cows (which are not seen in B.C.) Nearly 1,000 sea lions, similar to these, have gathered at Second Beach in Powell River on B.C's northern Sunshine Coast. DFO in Canada has spent large amounts of money and time trying to deter them from entering the rivers without much success. We don’t know what those different types of sounds are used for, though. About 35% of their diet is herring and they consume about 3000 tonnes annually around Vancouver Island. a good location is the public dock in Fanny Bay on Highway 19A which is on the way to Port McNeill. They will sometimes feed around dolphins, porpoises, and even birds while attacking the bait fish. TOFINO, B.C. About 3-4000 make their way to Vancouver Island. on the Eastern most coast of Vancouver Island between Parksville and Courtney (on Hwy 19A – or the “Oceanside Route”), The CBC reported that in 2013, four decapitated sea lions were found on Vancouver Island Beaches, and in 2014, 12 seal carcasses were found at St Lawrence in Quebec. Gestation of the single pup is almost a year, and pups may nurse for over a year. Steller Sea Lions vs California Sea Lions Migration/Mating From May to August most males have returned to the rookeries in California to mate. It’s an annual spectacle, the massive sea lions making their way to Cowichan Bay to feast on spawning salmon and bask in the sunlight on the marina’s breakwater. The female Stellers can be closer to the male California sea lion with a max up to 450 kg (1000 lbs). Both Steller and California sea lions can be observed on our tours. Steller Sea Lions are the largest species of sea lion found in the Salish Sea, with males reaching one tonne (2500lbs), and stretching out to 3m or 10 feet. We return to Vancouver Island in late October to see the sea lions. ©1998-2020 Shangaan Webservices Inc. All Rights Reserved. They can be seen on all areas on Vancouver Island though you will most likely see them from a boat since they seem to hang out on isolated rocks and small islands. The CBC reported that in 2013, four decapitated sea lions were found on Vancouver Island Beaches, and in 2014, 12 seal carcasses were found at St Lawrence in … Scuba diving with sea lions is … Vancouver Island … A Hump, This looks delicious! Vancouver Island Tourism Vancouver Island … These bulls can be distinguished from the Steller’s by their darker pelage (which looks black when wet) and by the prominently ridged forehead. Four headless sea lions were found on Vancouver Island in 2013, and at least 12 seal carcasses were found on the banks of the St. Lawrence in Quebec in 2014, the CBC reported. Females are known to live up to thirty years. They survive mainly on herring and other oily fish. We do know that they are very social animals and that they have a variety of means of communicating. Females in comparison are much smaller, weighing as much as 270kg (600lbs), and reaching lengths of 2.5m or 8 feet. Their hunting trips at sea can last two weeks and they can dive up to 274 meters (900 ft), though shallower dives are more common. Steller Sea Lions, Vancouver Island, BC, Photo By Bud Logan. The females are about a third as large. Steller sea lions love British Columbia. She’s even found some at … This is a playful species, which is well known as the trained “seal” in many circuses. Both species of sea lions may be preyed on by the transient race of Killer Whales, which almost exclusively eat marine mammals. It is not uncommon for us to witness a pod of transient killer whales work as a family group to take down one of these large sea lions! are much smaller. Steller sea lions are the most common sea lion on Vancouver Island and numbers are estimated close to 25,000 in British Columbia. California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) These are two distinct Steller’s sea lion populations. Both are a warm brown in colour, with the bulls developing quite thick manes around their enormous necks. Every year in late fall about 300 (yes I do mean 300!) VANCOUVER — Headless sea lions have been washing up on Vancouver Island since spring, and a marine mammal skilled says it is seemingly the animals had been intentionally beheaded by people. 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