It’s a flippin’ invasion!
Hundreds of sea lions swarmed San Francisco’s tourist-packed Pier 39 — the biggest gathering of the slippery suckers in 15 years, experts said.
More than 1,000 of the aquatic critters were spotted basking, barking and vying for space on the docks near Fisherman Wharf’s famous Ferris wheel, according to CBS News.
The record-breaking population boom is likely due to an influx of anchovies — the animal’s main food source — in the area, according to the outlet.
More than 1,000 sea lions flocked to the Pier 39 docks, setting a new record. ABC7The massive congregation delighted passersby who stopped to stare at the adorable blubber balls.
“It looks like a bunch of kids vying for a big spot on the couch,” tourist Les Oakes told the outlet Tuesday. “Pretty cool.”
The last time the sea lion count was this higher on the pier was in 2009 when the docks had a record 1,700 of the animals.
The population boom is likely due to an influx of anchovies in the area. AP“They are so funny and so nice, I love them. They are like pushing each other off into the water,” said Aurora Zantile, of Italy, told ABC 7.
Sheila Chandor, Harbormaster for Pier 39, said the marina had counted about 1,000 sea lions this week.
The congregation was spotted in a tourist-heavy section of Fisherman’s Warf. ABC7“We haven’t had these kind of numbers of sea lions for probably over 15 years,” said Chandor.
