It should be noted that historically, colonies of harbor seals and sea lions would have never been able to establish on easily accessible coastal beaches. 300 years ago there were too many predators in San Diego County, for example, to allow this. Coyotes, mountain lions and some of the largest grizzly bears to have ever lived roamed the County then. This is not to mention the most efficient predator on hauled-out marine mammals at the time, the native Americans. Add to this the fact that the natural predators of pinnepeds have been nearly obliterated in the last 100 years and you have an exploding population. Orcas, white and mako sharks etc. have all been greatly reduced. We have radically changed the natural environment.....and yes, it will be our turn for major population reduction at some point. Nature wins in the end.
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Sea Lions Struggle On San Diego Coast
It should be noted that historically, colonies of harbor seals and sea lions would have never been able to establish on easily accessible coastal beaches. 300 years ago there were too many predators in San Diego County, for example, to allow this. Coyotes, mountain lions and some of the largest grizzly bears to have ever lived roamed the County then. This is not to mention the most efficient predator on hauled-out marine mammals at the time, the native Americans. Add to this the fact that the natural predators of pinnepeds have been nearly obliterated in the last 100 years and you have an exploding population. Orcas, white and mako sharks etc. have all been greatly reduced. We have radically changed the natural environment.....and yes, it will be our turn for major population reduction at some point. Nature wins in the end.
April 24, 2013 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )