Although the South American sea lion (Ottaria flavescens) is not classified as an endangered species (IUCN Red List: not endangered), several reports from researchers in South America in recent years have led to a reevaluation of the status of individual sea lion populations. South American sea lions are among the aquatic species known to interact with human activities, particularly in the areas of fishing, aquaculture, and tourism.
Due to these interactions, seals are increasingly dying as bycatch in fishing nets or being deliberately killed because they damage fish farm nets, causing immense economic damage to fishermen. Tourism has changed the animals' habitat to such an extent that they are forced to seek new areas.
Due to this problem, YAQU PACHA, in cooperation with Heidelberg Zoo, Amneville Zoo, and the Dutch Zoo Association (NVD), provided financial support for an initial workshop on the status of this seal species in 2009. Recommendations from this workshop include numerous measures such as monitoring colonies throughout the entire range, identifying management areas, and determining the total population and the threat posed by fishing.
The goal of YAQU PACHA and the above-mentioned partners in the seal project is to support these studies of South American sea lions in the long term in order to develop protective measures at an early stage.
YAQU PACHA has been working with various partners in South America and Latin America for 30 years to protect aquatic mammal species. You can support our projects by making a donation or membership. Learn more about our work in our videos.
Sea otters | Information about seals| Report on our workshop day 2 | Species conservation | Animal species that YAQU PACHA works to protect | Manatee project