Sea lions have taken over a California beach, and there is no end in sight to the spread.
San Carlos Beach in Monterey was affected by such a large influx of these marine mammals that it was closed to the public indefinitely.
“City Parks Department staff have been working closely with Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff to monitor the situation,” said Laurie Huelga, communications manager for the city of Monterey, in an email to Fox News Digital. “They tell us this is normal behavior.”
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According to the city, located on the state’s central coast, the sea lions arrive in droves every August, but traditionally gather around Fisherman’s Wharf rather than at San Carlos Beach.
The sea lions come from the Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara, where the mammals recently had their breeding season.
People watch a group of sea lions gathered at San Carlos Beach in Monterey, California, on Saturday. The beach was closed to the public because of the presence of sea lions there. (Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary told the city that the sea lions were “following food” and that there were more fish in cooler coastal waters.
“Once the sea lions have had time to rest and feed here, they return to the Channel Islands. Most are males, but a few are females,” Huelga said. “The pups are still in the Channel Islands area.”
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“We will reopen the beach when they are gone,” Huelga added. “They have been here for over two weeks and usually stay for about a month in total.”
Sea lions gather at San Carlos Beach in Monterey, California. (Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
In a video posted on Instagram, the city jokingly said, “We’ve received questions about when San Carlos Beach will reopen and have turned to the sea lions for an answer.”
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The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
