A mass migration of sea lions is making a splash, with a whole lot taking on the sandy shores of a Ventura County seashore.
Consultants say sea lions have traditionally been part of Silver Strand Seaside however lately, many extra have made their approach over, a migration that’s largely brought on by human influences.
Many sea lions might be seen stress-free and sunbathing on the sands of Silver Strand Seaside in Oxnard.
“That is their place,” Connie Korenstein, a Silver Strand resident, tells KTLA’s John Fenoglio. “I really feel honored that they’ve chosen to be right here.”
Korenstein lives throughout the road from Kiddie Seaside in Silver Strand, which is a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers within the summertime.
Only a few months in the past, a whole lot of largely younger sea lions began transferring in, nestling into their new residence on the shore.
“Folks come and take a look at them for hours and hours and you are able to do that as a result of they’re simply so lovely, they’re magnificent creatures,” mentioned Korenstein. “ They’re not an issue they usually’re not a nuisance.”
Some residents, nevertheless, had been lower than happy with the brand new neighbors.
“There’s simply so lots of them,” mentioned Westin, a 10-year-old boy. “I’ve by no means seen this occur earlier than.”
Westin visits his grandmother who lives within the space and they might sometimes go swimming collectively within the seashore earlier than the current inflow of sea lions moved in.
When requested what the realm now smells like, Westin mentioned, “It form of smells like poop.”
Different residents although, aren’t actually bothered by the scent.
“I imply that’s how they scent,” mentioned an Oxnard man named Bruce. He says some people simply don’t just like the scent of the seashore or the ocean but others benefit from the scent significantly. He doesn’t consider it’s an enormous deal.
Though sea lions have at all times lived within the space, what precisely is inflicting the present inflow and migration? One professional says human interactions and local weather change are the highest contributors.
“We now have a number of building alongside the shoreline,” explains Sam Dover, Founder and chief veterinarian of the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute. “There’s work being completed on the Channel Islands and Ventura harbors, they’re rehabbing the place and a number of animals that might usually be on docks or distant locations are actually being displaced due to the development and human exercise. In order that they’re discovering different locations to name residence.”
