Close Encounter with a Baby Sea Lion - Gardner Bay, Espanola Island, Galapagos Islands 11/15/09

A baby sea lion mistakes me for mommy. Must have been the brown bathing suit.

7/10/12 Wow, folks! I forgot about this video for a year or so. So many of you have viewed it, and I've really enjoyed your comments. Apologies to everyone who posted and emailed questions.
Thanks to my sister, I was fortunate enough to take the trip of a lifetime back in November of 2009: a National Geographic/Lindblad cruise through the Galapagos Islands. The ship accomodated 96 vacationers -- it was VERY nice and if you ever have the opportunity you should do it!
On our excursions to the individual islands we were accompanied by trained Ecuadorian naturalists at all times, so I'm confident that we were behaving appropriately. We took care to keep our distance from the wildlife and were told Do Not Touch! This little guy wandered up the beach while it's mother was out getting food. It first approached some adult Sea Lions up the beach a ways who gave it the cold shoulder. Then it headed for our group, and for me in my brown swim suit. I turned 60 this year and don't mind being mistaken for a Sea Lion. It was an honest mistake. :)
Those of you who want to use this clip may do so. Please be nice.
Kristin

• Category

  Travel & Events

[0hmyblog]

So cute! A lot of people are saying they should have found the mother or called animal rescue- but the Galapagos is like a wilderness on most islands- humans cannot interfere with the animals there, you can't touch them or feed them or anything. It also means that the animals do not fear humans. I personally think that's why it is such an amazing and unique place and it should be kept that way.

[0hmyblog]

You are right, but actually I've been to the Galapagos and specifically with baby sealions their mothers will abandon them if they get the human scent on them! But what you said is totally true, it was really emphasised on that trip that the animals have no fear of humans because of the strict rules with no touching and no feeding the animals. We could walk around and the animals would come right up to us!

[Monica Jones]

I'm wondering why no one is worried that it is abandoned. Where is is mom? Did anyone call anyone call a wildlife center to notify them of a pup on the beach alone?

[kylethebarbarian]

That's not a Magpie.

[Maeva Du Dinh Tan]

i would already took care of this cute little sea lion

[Maeva Du Dinh Tan]

your an idiot...

[Afifah Idrus]

in a few angles he looks like a sloth

[Dutchfruitjar]

Hmm. Many studies are now saying that touching a baby animal will not make it's mother abandon it as they collect many different smells anyway. I was itching to pet this little guy through the screen! How you managed not to being actually there! I don't know! lol

[Grabrielle Alleyne]

did he survive?



[miloucet winds]

EHHHHHHHHH!!!!

[Terra jet]

i think he just want a fish

[C SHIM]

NEK MINNIT