Steller sea lions

A group of Steller sea lion pups surround a territorial bullSteller's sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus, Schreber, 1776) - also called the Northern sea lion - is the largest of the eared seals (otariids). Adult Steller bulls weigh on average one metric ton, adult females about 275 kg. Pups are born at near 10kg of mass, and are typically weaned within one year. Stellers range from northern California past the coasts of Oregon and Washington, the Gulf of Alaska, the Aleutian Islands and the Bering Sea, to the Komandorsky Islands, the Kamchatka Peninsula and Sea of Okhotsk to Japan. Over the past three decades, Steller sea lions have exhibited a dramatic decline in their population down to about 10-20% of peak levels.

 

some steller sea lion pupsIf you are interested in these amazing animals, check out the highly informative NMFS Steller sea lion website by the National Marine Mammal Lab, and the ADF&G's Steller sea lion page by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some pictures taken during recent aerial and ship-based Steller sea lion census trips along the Aleutian Islands. These trips were coordinated and sponsored by the National Marine Mammal Lab, NMFS. These surveys are difficult to conduct, dangerous, and very costly. Click on the images to enlarge.

Steller sea lions hauled out at Billingshead, March 1999 aerial view of tightly packed stellers resting close to snow and ice

just where the stellers are is the haulout site snow free Steller sea lions on Amak in March of 1999

Little Tanaga, June 1998 a haulout rock in the surf zone

a nearly deserted beach with just a few evenly spaced steller bulls A deserted rookery at Seguam Island. Well, not quite deserted. Those little dots on the beach are Steller sea lion bulls holding a territory -- in vain: no females have shown up.

 

 

 

A Steller sea lion swimming in the water. The animal is carrying an orange dive recording instrument glued to the fur between its shoulder blades A seven year old male Steller sea lion swimming through cold water. The animal is carrying a dive recording instrument glued to the dorsal fur between its shoulder blades. After recovery of the instrument, previously recorded data on dive depth and swim speeds can be downloaded for analysis.

 

 

 

 

Sea Lions near Atka, June 1998another rocky haulout

fog shrouded coastlineFlying around Amlia, June 1998

 

 

 

 

Flying conditions are often suboptimal the coastline almost disappears in the fog only the planes wing is visible

 

the grumman turbo goose with its crewThe survey team in March 1999 (from left): John Sease (NMML), Dan Vollum (Aero Planes, Pilot & Owner of N77AQ), Alan Williams (Aero Air, Co-Pilot), Markus Horning (Texas A&M), with the McKinnon Turbo Goose at Adak Island.

 

 

 

 

the turbo goose from front with alan refuelling on the wingsAlan refuelling the TurboGoose at Cold Bay, June 1998

 

 

 

 

 

the crew by the goose on attu island runwayAttu Island, June 1998. From left: John Sease, Dan Vollum, Mike Strick, Alan Williams, Markus Horning. We spent the night at the Attu Loran C Station, courtesy of the US Coast Guard (thanks!). Sixteen Coasties live there for over a year at a time, to keep navigation along the Aleutians safe.

 

 

 

the turbine engines of the gooseThe Grumman Goose was built in the thirties, and modified by McKinnon with turbines in the sixties.

 

 

 

 

 

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