Resting on the Shores of Taboga Island Panama, Residents Spotted a Sea Lion

A sea lion was recently spotted by residents of Taboga Island while resting in a rocky area of ​​the island.  The Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) explained that the presence of this species is due to the fact that they navigate taking advantage of the cold water currents, a behavior similar to that of other mammals such as the orca whale, which frequent the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor.  Below, a group of young sea lions.

Navigators or tourists are urged that, if they happen to observe these animals, they should be left alone, as they can become stressed and alter their behavior. They are also asked not to feed them or try to grab them, since if it’s a young one, the mother will reject it. This species is distinguished from the seal by its more pronounced auditory pavilion (ears) and has long, thick whiskers, characteristic of the pinniped mammal family that includes seals and walruses.

Authorities are calling on the public to ensure the safety of the animal and people should an encounter occur.

• Keep your distance: Leave the animals alone; human contact can stress them and alter their natural behavior.
• Do not feed them: Avoid offering them any type of food.
• Do not try to capture or touch them: If it is a baby animal, contact with humans may cause the mother to reject it.

This species differs from the seal by its more pronounced ear flaps and has long, thick whiskers, characteristic of the pinniped mammal family that includes seals and walruses.