Latin America & the Caribbean, Sustainability On Galápagos beaches, human presence conclusively affects sea lions

On beaches across the Galápagos, sea lions share space with people. But until recently, it wasn’t clear how that cohabitation influenced the endangered animals. 

“In Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the sea lions live on the edge of the town at the waterfront,” says Michael Weisberg, a University of Pennsylvania researcher who has worked on the islands since 2017. “The town’s population was increasing—it’s getting close to 10,000 people—and before COVID-19 tourism was, too.”  

There had also been sea lion–human clashes, like a fireworks display that sent the frightened animals fleeing the beach for the water. Weisberg and colleagues, including locals like Ernesto Vaca, hoped to employ a scientific approach to understanding the situation. So, they enlisted Justin Walsh and Karen Kovaka, at the time Penn Ph.D. students, to help create a research project. The aim was to increase knowledge about sea lion behavior and engage local high school students and Penn undergraduates. 

Read more in Penn Today >>