Impacts of the Jessica oil spill on sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) populations

摘要

Following the Jessica oil spill, a total of 79 oiled Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) were recorded around the islands of San Cristobal, Santa Fe, Isabela and Floreana. Almost half of these animals required washing and other treatment. One sea lion death and a high incidence of conjunctivitis and burns were detected during the period of the oil spill. Sea lion populations exhibited a tendency for decline in the first months following the spill at all three colonies monitored close to the grounding site on San Cristobal. By comparison, declines of similar magnitude occurred at only one of six sea lion colonies monitored on islands more distant from the spill. However, no significant decreases in population numbers were detected for any colony in the year following the spill. Galapagos sea lion populations were partially recovering from the much more catastrophic impact of the 1997/98 El Nino.