A resident stumbled upon five … Copyright 2018 © Discover Vancouver Islands. Sea lions, unlike the ubiquitous Harbour Seal of the coast, are able to move about on land using their four flippers. They will sometimes feed around dolphins, porpoises, and even birds while attacking the bait fish. Females are known to live up to thirty years. Vancouver Island Whale Watch at The Best Western Dorchester, Decapitated sea lions are washing ashore on Vancouver Island, Canada and experts suggest humans are at fault. These bulls can be distinguished from the Steller’s by their darker pelage (which looks black when wet) and by the prominently ridged forehead. They are seasonal (I think) It is not uncommon for us to witness a pod of transient killer whales work as a family group to take down one of these large sea lions! We don’t know what those different types of sounds are used for, though. Vancouver Island Tourism Vancouver Island … Free shipping for many products! Long Beach: Great place to see the sea lions - See 1,235 traveler reviews, 611 candid photos, and great deals for Tofino, Canada, at Tripadvisor. They are often mixed together during winter months and it should be fairly easy to identify the smaller darker California sea lions. Vancouver Island Tourism Vancouver Island … If you’re wandering around the seawall in Stanley Park or spending time near in Granville Island, chances are there is a seal nearby.Keep your eyes … There is a 12-month reproductive cycle which includes 3 month period for the egg to get fertilized and a 9 month gestation period. While a lovely big city spot, the Coal Harbour we are talking about is a northern Vancouver Island marine hub, and equally worth the visit. Vancouver Island’s Coal Harbour When searching the web for things to do near “Coal Harbour”, Google always shares info about the downtown area of Vancouver. About 35% of their diet is herring and they consume about 3000 tonnes annually around Vancouver Island. This is a playful species, which is well known as the trained “seal” in many circuses. These are two distinct Steller’s sea lion populations. Steller sea lions love British Columbia. Steller sea lions are the most common sea lion on Vancouver Island and numbers are estimated close to 25,000 in British Columbia. TOFINO, B.C. Recent widely-circulated photos of decapitated seals and sea lions have rekindled debate about a Vancouver Island commercial pinniped harvest. We do know that they are very social animals and that they have a variety of means of communicating. Read more about the increased sea lion population here…. Numbers of pups being born every year have been steadily increasing since the 1970s to a possible over population. Our sea kayaking options include a variety of day-trip routes, distances, shoreline types, and sea conditions to satisfy the range of guests' interests and comforts. Originating in the Rocky Mountains, it is the largest river in British Columbia bringing 20 million tons of sediment to the ocean each year. The California males can weigh up to 400kg (900lbs) compared to the Steller males max weight of 2500 lbs (1120 kg). We return to Vancouver Island in late October to see the sea lions. The CBC reported that in 2013, four decapitated sea lions were found on Vancouver Island Beaches, and in 2014, 12 seal carcasses were found at St Lawrence in … They can be seen on all areas on Vancouver Island though you will most likely see them from a boat since they seem to hang out on isolated rocks and small islands. The CBC reported that in 2013, four decapitated sea lions were found on Vancouver Island Beaches, and in 2014, 12 seal carcasses were found at St Lawrence in Quebec. Originally posted via @tasti, The #VictoriaOperaticSociety wants you to Have You, Historic #TrounceAlley in Victoria, #BritishColumb, Orca Dreams: Whale watching in ultimate camping comfort in the wilderness off Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait & Broughton Archipelago Expedition in BC, EMR Vacation Rentals: Victoria, Vancouver, Whistler…, Camping on Vancouver Island without a Reservation, Quaint Telegraph Cove, Northern Vancouver Island, BC, Whale Watching and Fishing in Ucluelet, BC, Digitization of Canada’s Historical Narratives of Exploration. In 2014, at least 12 headless seal carcasses were found on the banks of the St. Lawrence in Quebec. Many move as far north as British Columbia, and Alaska, and this is the most abundant sea lion in our waters through most of the year. Both Steller and California sea lions can be observed on our tours. Subscribe to our newsletter and get exclusive offseason deals. They are sometimes seen on the rocks beside the ferry route through Active Pass, and at Race Rocks near Victoria, among many other suitable rocky islets. It is mostly male California sea lions that spend from September to May here since the females usually stay all year in California and Oregon. on the Eastern most coast of Vancouver Island between Parksville and Courtney (on Hwy 19A – or the “Oceanside Route”), The number of California Sea lions wintering in BC have been increasing since the 1970s along with the increased numbers in California and Mexico. If the OP just wants to see them. Both species of sea lions may be preyed on by the transient race of Killer Whales, which almost exclusively eat marine mammals. DFO in Canada has spent large amounts of money and time trying to deter them from entering the rivers without much success. VANCOUVER — Headless sea lions have been washing up on Vancouver Island since spring, and a marine mammal skilled says it is seemingly the animals had been intentionally beheaded by people. In Canada, marine mammals are legally protected by the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act — and the status of Steller sea lions are considered “special concern.” You hear them before you see them. Feeding Prey for the California sea lion includes salmon, hake, herring, pilchards, anchovies, squid, small sharks, and rock fish. Weight California sea lions and Steller sea lions are the two most common sea lions on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island … Four headless sea lions were found on Vancouver Island in 2013, and at least 12 seal carcasses were found on the banks of the St. Lawrence in Quebec in 2014, the CBC reported. The “dogs of the sea” are a common sight in Vancouver and are most often seen near popular fishing areas. 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