By Owner/
Operator
Art Taylor
Operator
Art Taylor
the 19th century. Experts thought they were extinct, but individuals were sighted again in 1926. An expedition confirmed the species’ survival by finding animals breeding on Isla Guadalupe (off central Baja
California) 1954. The species has been making a comeback ever since. The most
recent population estimate comes from 1993: approximately 7,400 animals,
believed to
be increasing at a rate of almost 14% per year.
In 1997 a team of researchers found a breeding colony of Guadalupe fur seals on
East San Benito Island. This year we noted more fur seals hauled out near the
landing cove on West San Benito Island than we
’ve seen in years past. We hope this is another positive sign of the ongoing
recovery of this species.
With strong protection from both Mexico and the United States, the Guadalupe fur
seal may yet reoccupy their
former range, which includes colonies in the California Channel Islands and possibly the Farallon Islands off San Francisco. The recent surprising discovery of Guadalupe fur seal remains in Native American middens as far north as Washington State suggests that we still have a lot to learn about this fascinating species.
former range, which includes colonies in the California Channel Islands and possibly the Farallon Islands off San Francisco. The recent surprising discovery of Guadalupe fur seal remains in Native American middens as far north as Washington State suggests that we still have a lot to learn about this fascinating species.
