Sea lion crashes Chile fisherman’s interview about ‘plague of sea lions’

Stop talking about me behind my back! Sea lion crashes Chile fisherman’s interview… about ‘plague of sea lions’

  • A sea lion opened a gate and crashed an interview in the Bio Bio region of Chile
  • Local fisherman had called the 3,000 sea lions resting on the beach a  ‘plague’
  • They were fleeing from predators such as killer whales and gale force winds

This is the moment a sea lion opened a gate and crashed an interview while a Chile fisherman was giving a TV interview – about what he dubbed a ‘plague’ of the animals.

More than 3,000 sea lions had taken over a beach in the Bio Bio region, central Chile, to flee from the gale-force winds and predators such as killer whales.

Local residents were happy to see the animals but one fisherman complained ‘no control has been taken’ for the ‘plague of sea lions’.

The video shows the fisherman, from local town Tome, saying ‘this is a plague’.

At the same time, a sea lion barged through a gate in the background and waddled over.

A man beside the interviewee waved his hand and tried to force the sea lion back to the beach – but the creature refused.

Residents from across Chile had travelled to see the animals, calling them ‘wonderful’.

One lady said she felt sorry that the sea lions ‘came here running away from killer whales’. 

 A sea lion opens the unlocked gate behind the interviewee and comes out

More than 3,000 sea lions took a beach in the Bio Bio region in the centre of Chile to flee from the gale-force winds and predators such as killer whales

More than 3,000 sea lions took a beach in the Bio Bio region in the centre of Chile to flee from the gale-force winds and predators such as killer whales

Residents from across Chile travelled to see the animals, calling them 'wonderful'

Residents from across Chile travelled to see the animals, calling them ‘wonderful’

The group of sea lions have been on the beach for about 28 days, according to the fisherman whose interview was interrupted.

The marine mammals were thought to have been fleeing predators such as orcas, although gale force winds in the area may also have been a factor.

The South American sea lion’s technical name is the Patagonian sea lion. They were often seen resting on fishing boats, sometimes even causing the boats to sink.

Sea Lion Facts

What eats sea lions? 

Great white, hammerhead and blue sharks, as well as orcas, occasionally hunt sea lions. Water pollution, marine debris, and competition for food and habitat created by people also endanger our friends in the sea.

How fast can a sea lion swim? 

Sea lions can swim at burst speeds up to 25 miles per hour, but most of the time they swim around 11miles per hour. Sea lions can swim faster by gliding on the surface of the water.

How long do sea lions live? 

The average life span of the sea lion is about 20 years, but some have been recorded to live into their 30’s. We can determine their age by counting growth layers in their teeth, just like the rings in a tree trunk.

What do sea lions eat? 

Sea lions eat many things. They like lots of different fish, including anchovies, herring salmon and sardines. They can also eat squid and octopus. Sea lions have 34 to 38 teeth, which they use to catch and tear their food. They don’t use them to chew their food though, they swallow it whole.

How large are sea lions? 

Pups (baby sea lions) weigh about 13-20 pounds and are 2.5 feet long when they are born. Females can weigh between 200 and 400 pounds and can be up to 6.5 feet long. Male sea lions tend to be larger, weighing about 600 to 800 pounds and can be up to 8 feet long. 

source: Dolphin Research Centre 

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