The population of Californian sea lions is down dramatically due to climate change, but in one natural refuge area off the coast of northwest Mexico, they are doing well and delighting tourists.

The number of this species of sea lion in Los Islotes, located in the Gulf of California – a finger-shaped body of turquoise water between the Baja California peninsula and the Mexican mainland – has grown from 500 to 700 in 10 years, said Hiram Rosales Nanduca, a researcher from the Autonomous University of Southern Baja California.

It is one of 13 colonies of this kind of sea lion identified in the gulf, which is also known as the Sea of Cortez.

"The only colony that not only has remained stable but has increased slightly is that of Los Islotes," Rosales said.

Otherwise, the population of Californian sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California has dropped by 65 percent from 1991 to 2019. It went from 45,000 to 15,000 animals because of an increase in the temperature of the water, said the Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education, which is located in Baja California.

The trick at Los Islotes is to restrict human activities such as fishing and tourism. There, the sea lions have a sanctuary where they can rest and reproduce, said Rosales.

Indeed, tour operators suspend visits during the mating season so as not to disturb the animals.

Los Islotes is part of a Gulf of California protected area that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.  

(Images via VCG)

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