Port of Astoria in Oregon has an unusual problem - hundreds of sea lions have swarmed the docks there, blocking boat owners from reaching their vessels. Now, the town is trying a novel approach to dealing with their problem, bringing in a model orca whale to scare away the marine mammals.
Terry Buzzard is the owner of Island Marine Cruises in Bellingham, Washington, and he offered to lend his life-sized replica of a killer whale to the town in an effort to scare away the sea lions.
"I don't have any idea in the world if it'll work or even should work. It's just kind of a fun, crazy thing to do. If it doesn't look like an orca whale and they call our bluff, then I guess they'll sit there and thumb their noses at us," Buzzard said.
Officials for the Port of Astoria have estimated there are as many as 2,300 sea lions staying on the docks. That number is 1,000 more animals than were seen last year, and almost 12 times the population recorded in 2010. One of the docks there has already been closed to the public due to the massive marine mammals populating the area. Some of the creatures will stand up to humans, charging at people who get in their way.
Port officials have tried other methods of remove the animals from docks, including electrified pads, which only had a limited effect on the marine mammals. The animals have already broken down gangways, and officials believe the sea lions would also demolish any fences erected to keep them contained.
Sea lion infestations are also being seen in other areas of Oregon, in addition to Astoria, including the Port of Newport.
"I don't have time to make a count, but I would estimate there are well over 1,500 or more. I'm not an expert, but we would normally see probably 300 to 400. They're definitely multiplying," Kevin Bryant, harbormaster for the Port of Newport, said.
Biologists are uncertain why masses of sea lions have landed on the docks on the Oregon coast. Some believe the animals, driven by a lack of food offshore, are following populations of smelt heading upstream. Others believe warming temperatures in the ocean are driving the animals northward. It is also possible that sea lions are following smelt toward Astoria, and the warm waters of El Niño could be driving the animals to Newport.
What may be the world's first scaresealion will be transported to the Port of Astoria in June.
Photo: Pedro Lozano | Flickr
