Southern Sea Lion Colony at All Time High!

Sea Lion numbers in Patagonia have increased by 300% in less than three years.

Less than three years ago, the Sea Lion colony at the WLT reserve in Patagonia looked like this. Today, the colony stands at over a hundred individuals.

World Land Trust (WLT) partners, the Fundación Patagonia Natural (FPN), reports that Southern Sea Lion numbers at the Estancia la Esperanza reserve are now at an all time high. The colony, established around the same time as the reserve, has increased from 35 individuals in February 2001, to 105 individuals recorded in December 2003.

The Southern Sea Lion (Otaria byronia) is found throughout the Patagonian coastal region, but was a victim of the fur trade in the past, which caused a significant decline in numbers of individuals and in their range. Today numbers are still declining due to human disturbance such as commercial fishing.

The recent colony expansion at Estancia la Esperanza is therefore incredibly important, and shows that under adequate protection Sea Lion populations can flourish.

More information

This is an extract from the press release Southern Sea Lion colony in Patagonia at all time high.

Further information can be found on our project pages or by calling the WLT office on +44 (0) 1986 874 422.