Sea lions have taken over a California beach, causing it to be closed indefinitely due to the massive influx of the marine mammals. San Carlos Beach in Monterey has been overrun by the sea lions, with no signs of them slowing down.
City officials have been monitoring the situation closely, with Laurie Huelga, the City of Monterey communications manager, stating that the sea lions’ presence is considered normal behavior. The sea lions, who typically arrive in droves every August, are visiting from the Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara, where they recently had their pupping season.
According to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the sea lions are “following the food,” as there are more fish available in the cooler inshore waters. Most of the sea lions currently at San Carlos Beach are males, with a few females among them. The pups are still in the Channel Islands area.
The beach will remain closed until the sea lions decide to leave, which typically happens after about a month. In the meantime, city officials have been jokingly reaching out to the sea lions for a response on when the beach will reopen.
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation. Stay tuned for updates on this unusual beach takeover by the sea lions.
