Observations of the effect of a New Year's fireworks display on the behavior of the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) in a colony of central-south Chile

摘要

The use of fireworks has increased worldwide in recent years. Despite this, their effects on sea lions and similar species are almost undocumented. In this study, we documented some effects of the 2015 New Year's fireworks on the behavior of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens), a marine mammal species that utilizes coastal rookeries for breeding, resting, and care and nursing of pups. An immediate cessation of vocalizations followed the start of the fireworks and a significant decrease in the number of sea lions in the colony was registered. This provided evidence that fireworks disrupted the ongoing behavior of the South American sea lion. Further studies will be necessary to determine whether this disruption has negative consequences for these animals or whether they have evolved behavioral mechanisms for dealing with these kinds of short-term disruptive events.