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SF's New Celebrity: The 2000lb 'King of the Dock'
1 May
Summary
- A massive Steller sea lion named Chonkers is drawing crowds at San Francisco's Pier 39.
- Chonkers weighs between 1,500 to 2,000 pounds, much larger than typical local sea lions.
- Experts believe he traveled about 30 miles from the Farallon Islands to reach the pier.
A massive Steller sea lion, known online as 'Chonkers,' has captured public attention and drawn significant crowds to a popular tourist spot in San Francisco. Experts have been monitoring the unusually large sea lion since March 13. Chonkers, estimated to weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds, is a Steller sea lion, a species rarely seen at Pier 39.
Wildlife officials believe Chonkers likely swam about 30 miles from a rookery in the Farallon Islands to reach the San Francisco Bay. The bay's calmer, shallower waters and the comfortable floating platforms at Pier 39 offer a favorable resting environment compared to the open sea. This behavior suggests Chonkers may be highly food-motivated and seeking a less competitive, safer habitat.
The harbor master at Pier 39 noted that while Chonkers has visited previously, this extended stay is extraordinary. The immense size of the Steller sea lion, which can reach up to 2,500 pounds and 11 feet in length, poses a challenge to the platforms designed for smaller California sea lions.
