California Sea Lions - Newport, Oregon

J62!!!

source: center for whale research

Japanese Sea Lion

Gone before we could truly know them.

Zalophus japonicus memorial • extinct

Last confirmed sighting 1951

Declared extinct by ICUN 1994.

Originally considered a subspecies of Californian sea lions, later were confirmed to be a separate species in 2003.

Extinction due to over hunting & habitat destruction.

The Japanese sea lion was a species of pinniped found in the western North Pacific, including Japan and the Korean Peninsula. They typically resided on open beaches, and occasionally in rocky areas. They also often would rest in caves.

Rare footage of Japanese Sea Lions

Japanese sea lions were victims of both over hunting and habitat destruction. They were primarily hunted for oil, with other parts being used for medicine and other goods. The commercial harvest of them is considered to be a primary factor in their extinction.

Habitat destruction, particularly destruction brought on by WW2 submarines is also believed to have played a role in their extinction.

Along with the Caribbean Monk Seal, these two make up the only pinnipeds to go extinct in modern times.

lets be muddy with mama

Today's Seal Is: My Watchful Mama

“The Navigator”

let’s swim with mama

Today's Seals Are: Robot Uprising

Don’t make me put your ass in the sealbarrow

welcome to my blubbery blog!!! 🦭🦦🐋🐬🫧

i’m currently a volunteer at an AZA accredited aquarium, i hope to study marine environmental science in the future and work in conservation and education! my primary interests are in northern fur seal biology and southern resident killer whale behaviour, but i love all marine mammals!

i support accredited* zoos and aquariums! i do however hope that we can move away from them in the future. i think that conversations about the ethics of captivity are important and should always be centered around the wellbeing of the captive animals. i encourage caution and use of critical thinking around both anti and pro captivity arguments. i’m always happy to answer any questions about the practices of AZA accredited zoos and aquariums!

*there are some accredited zoos and aquariums (such as seaworld) that i am heavily critical of, but it’s unfortunately a complicated issue that isn’t realistic to have black and white opinions on.

marine mammal rescue, conservation, and research organisations:

alaska sealife is center

vancouver aquarium marine mammal rescue society

center for whale research

SR3

marine mammal care center

Begging you for some pinnipeds any pinnipeds please

Piebald Northern fur seal

Atypical colored Antarctic fur seal! With the orange, white, and grey they look calico.

Leucistic Antarctic fur seal

Interesting gang of Antarctic fur seal, one is leucistic and one almost looks brindle?

Leucistic southern elephant seal

Northern fur seal labeled as albino and partial albino (leucistic?) by some sources. NOAA says albino and they are experts.

Albino harbor seal

Albino ringed seal

Melanistic grey seal