A piece of good news has arrived thanks to conservation policies and hard work: sea lions are returning to California. The recovery of the species in the Farallon Islands, after 150 years of absence, marks a significant advance in the restoration of marine ecosystems.
This phenomenon also demonstrates the resilience of nature in the face of human exploitation. How and when can these species be seen in the United States.
Sea lions return to California: what had happened
The California islands, located near the San Francisco Bay, were for centuries a refuge for various marine species. However, indiscriminate hunting in the late 19th century led to the near extinction of sea lions and fur seals.
Why there were no more sea lions in California.
Now, 150 years later, these waters are once again home to new generations of sea lions. It happened thanks to the protection measures implemented in recent decades.
Promising future
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the pursuit of fat and skins led the sea lion population to a critical point, where it is estimated that the population decreased from 150,000 individuals to near extinction.
The lack of regulation in hunting exacerbated this situation, leaving an ecological void that affected the marine biodiversity of the region.
The change began in 1915 with an international treaty that banned the hunting of seals and sea lions. However, it was not until 1972 that the islands were declared a wilderness area, which allowed for the gradual recovery of these species.
Thanks to this protection, fur seals have begun to return, with a recent count showing 2133 individuals, including 1276 pups, the highest number recorded to date.
Impact on the ecosystem
The return of sea lions not only represents an ecological success but also has a positive impact on the balance of the local ecosystem.
As predators and prey within the food chain, sea lions play a crucial role in the regulation of populations of fish and other marine species.
Furthermore, their presence offers the scientific community a unique opportunity to study the effects of recovery in previously degraded habitats.
The importance of sea lions in the ecosystem.
Now, the need to maintain and reinforce conservation measures is being put to the test, especially in the face of climate change and the increasing human pressure on marine ecosystems.
The story of sea lions shows that, although human actions can be devastating, it is also possible to reverse the damage.
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