DBCA sea lion monitoring reveals about 200 inhabiting the Abrolhos Islands despite species being at risk

About 200 Australian sea lions inhabit the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, according to local rangers, with recent surveys of the endangered species showing the population remains stable. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Parks and Wildlife Service staff have been monitoring the sea lion population at the islands, 60km off the coast of Geraldton, because of concerns the species’ numbers were decreasing. But recent surveys reveal numbers are healthy, with a head count of about 200. It is the most northern population of Australian sea lions, with the islands becoming a pup playground every 18 months during breeding season. National park ranger Teresa Coutts said the population was decreasing as a species, and it was important to continue monitoring populations at the islands. “The females live to about 18-20 years old, and the males live to around 26 years old,” she said. “Females start breeding at around six years old. Once they have their pup, they will stay with . . . the pup until it’s about 10 days old, and then the female will go back for feeding.” Ms Coutts said pollution was contributing to the decline in numbers, which was why it was important for rangers to clean up the islands as they conducted their patrols. “We have seen sea lions with entanglements around the neck and so trying to keep the environment as clean as possible is really important for the health of the species, and just generally, keeping the islands as clean as possible because it’s such a beautiful, unique, environment,” she said. “One of the islands we visited, there’s a natural little pool there that the pups love playing in. We saw 11 pups in there. I think their mums were out feeding and they were running amok on the island.” The closest other local sea lion colony is on islands around Jurien Bay.