Sea Lion Invasion at Monterey Beach in California, August 2024

Visit …. https://au.news.yahoo.com/sea-lions-over-california-beach-232947784.html

AND this video tale …. https://abc7news.com/post/monterey-sea-lion-invasion-hundreds-aquatic-mammals-take-san-carlos-beach-forcing-close-humans/15209643/

Hundreds of sea lions have taken over a Monterey beach, forcing officials to close the beach to humans indefinitely. The sea lions started moving in at San Carlos Beach last week — right as the world famous Monterey Car Week was happening.

Loud noises from the car show scared the sea lions back into the water — but only briefly. This past Sunday night, dozens of sea lions were covering the sand.

“We’ve had a few people say they’ve never seen them come over here in this many numbers. This is definitely an odd thing to happen here,” said Megan Patton with Monterey Bay Scuba.

MORE: Record number of sea lions swarm SF’s Pier 39; largest gathering in about 15 years, officials say

Pier 39 is getting a lot of attention right now. It’s seeing the largest number of sea lions gathered in about 15 years. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has been talking to people about the importance of giving the animals their space.They’ve also been alerting divers since this is one of the most popular diving spots in Monterey.

ADDENDUM: A Note from Michael Roberts for Landlubbers

If you refrain from hugging them, they are not dangerous to humans in situations on land. I have not met them when swimming, but have witnesed them at relatively close quarters when visiting Kangaroo Island off South Australia east of Adelaide alongside the Fleurieu Peninsula.