Critter News

MARCH 16, 2012

The Federal government has approved the killing of California Sea Lions in the Columbia River, blaming them for killing and eating endangered salmon. Never mind the main reasons for the problems with the salmon: hatcheries, human harvest, hydropower and the destruction of habitat.

Sea Lions 100

Sea Lions Lions Killing California 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2024

Multi-million-dollar homes, fancy restaurants, rugged swimming, California sea lions, and close-up looks at some birds. The cove itself is a small beach surrounded by sandstone cliffs and a natural platform where the sea lions haul out. As you approach, the combined odor of seabird excrement and sea lions fills the air.

San Diego 235

San Diego Sea Lions Lions Birds 235

Critter News

JANUARY 1, 2010

Each one of the sleek, whiskered sea lions recovering at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro has its own story. Even though it has been a record year for sick harbor seals, sea lions and elephant seals, experts say it could get much worse. Tags: marine animals seals sea lions.

Seals 100

Seals Sea Lions Lions Wounded 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2013

A California Sea-lion surfaced close by, making me jump and spooking the birds, but they soon returned. The rocks, made a great platform to shoot from and kept my silhouette hidden. By sitting quietly, the birds would gradually work their way along the edge and approach quite close.

San Francisco 160

San Francisco Sea Lions Lions California 160

10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2024

Add those to one very wild California Sea Lion, and I had quite the morning. , several Surf Scoters (aka Surfing Ducks), and a Purple Finch I was finally able to distinguish from California’s ubiquitous House Finches (lifer!, because it sang). Many thanks to my fantastic host, Peter.

California 224

California Sea Lions Marine Life Puffins 224

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2012

They made it to the beach after 4 hours, where a large crowd of birders was assembled next to a dry and crusty sea lion carcass. A siege of the now-infamous sea lion carcass the next morning produced nothing. “It was just here”, said a smug birder. These were dark times indeed. It was time to accept defeat.

San Francisco 164

San Francisco Sea Lions Lions California 164

Critter News

DECEMBER 13, 2009

The Calgary Zoo is under scrutiny for yet another animal death; Convicted dog fighter Michael Vick is welcomed back to Atlanta; New Zealand is being bombarded with international protests for what many consider to be a transition to “factory farming” in Mackenzie Country; Russia bemoans that fact that it hasn't matched the US in transforming sea lions (..)

Michael Vick 100

Michael Vick Factory Farm Factory Farming Sea Lions 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2016

It’s the same reason so many people now cut up their plastic six-pack holders — because the connection between their soda and the strangled sea lion becomes obvious, visual and intimate. It brought the information out of the abstract and into the real, the visceral.

Cats 222

Cats Stray Cat Stray Los Angeles 222

10,000 Birds

APRIL 29, 2024

But marrying a widow and thus getting access to scientific information was not the only remarkable event in his life.

Eagles 131

Eagles Sea Lions Bears Russia 131

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2015

The two main chapters cover Marine Mammals (Orca; Whales; Dolphins and Porpoises; Sea Lions, Fur Seals, and Elephant Seal; Rarer Marine Mammals) and Seabirds (Albatrosses, Shearwaters and Fulmar, Strom-Petrels, Phalaropes, Alcids, Red-billed Tropicbird, Brown Booby, South Polar Skua, Jaegers, Gulls and Terns, Rarer Seabirds).

Dolphins 162

Dolphins Porpoises Whales Whaling 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Under the surface we could sea Oceanic Sunfish and Blue Sharks. California Sea Lions porpoised through the clear water. Thousands of phalaropes and shearwaters were on the water, as were a handful of other seabirds. And there where whales.

Whaling 157

Whaling Whales Sharks Bats 157

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

The next five chapters focus more specifically on Galápagos creatures: huge tortoises; iguanas; birds (two chapters–one on seabirds and coastal birds, another on land birds, including the famous finches); water creatures–sea lions, crabs, fish, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

2006 275

2006 Tortoises Sea Lions Porpoises 275

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2013

The scenery is stunning…expansive, rolling grasslands, towering vertical cliffs, cozy canyons filled with oaks, quiet coves where sea lions and cormorants mingle over the kelp forests. Of course, the island has a lot more to offer besides this jay. Many raptors are not afraid to make the ocean crossing to the Channel Islands.

California 183

California Sea Lions Whales Whaling 183

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

At sea there are also New Zealand Sea Lions and Southern Right Whales. In actuality, you’ve lucked out, you’re near The Catlins , a dramatic area of well preserved temperate rainforest. This is a good place to see the endangered and beautiful Yellowhead and the endemic Yellow-eyed Penguin.

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Fur 157

4 The Love Of Animals

MARCH 17, 2011

Sea lion mothers wail when watching their babies being eaten by killer whales. In many ways, human emotions are the gifts of our animal ancestors. Grief in magpies and red foxes: Saying goodbye to a friend. Many animals display profound grief at the loss or absence of a relative or companion.

Emotional 100

Emotional Animal Whales Whaling 100

4 The Love Of Animals

JUNE 28, 2012

Sea lions usually give birth to one pup, and twin pups are very rare in the animal world! On June 17, 2012, twin sea lions were born at SeaWorld Orlando. This is the first time twin sea lions have been born at the park. The first of the twins was born at 11 a.m. and the second followed a few hours later.

Sea Lions 100

Sea Lions Lions 2012 Animal 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 14, 2014

Now it seems that a similar story might have happened with the (sadly endangered itself) New Zealand Sea Lion. New Zealand Sea Lion by Karora (Creative Commons). Yellow-eyed Penguin by Zoharby (Creative Commons).

New Zealand 167

New Zealand Sea Lions Penguins Lions 167

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

Pacific White-sided Dolphins , 120 or so Humpback Whales , Northern Right Whale Dolphins , Blue Whales , Fin Whales , and Harbor Porpoises were all spotted to say nothing of Stellar’s Sea Lions , California Sea Lions , and a Northern Elephant Seal. Sadly, it was the best that I got. I want to see more of them!

Whales 122

Whales Whaling Albatross Sea Lions 122

10,000 Birds

MARCH 23, 2018

Anyone who has set foot in an Irish pub at any point in the last several decades has undoubtedly seen these vintage ads featuring a colorful and clownish menagerie of bears, sea lions, turtles, kangaroos, crocodiles, lions, and many birds – including the famous Guinness toucans.

Sea Lions 104

Sea Lions Lions Campaign Kangaroos 104