West
Sea lion numbers surge at popular California pier, reaching 15-year high
- San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf district is experiencing a surge in sea lions, with more than 1,000 counted this week.
- The sea lions have remained a tourist attraction since appearing at Pier 39 after a 1989 earthquake.
- Harbormaster Sheila Chandor attributes the sea lion influx to the abundant food, suggesting they are preparing for mating season.
They’re lounging, biting each other and generally making a ruckus in numbers not seen in more than a decade. And don’t even think about stealing their anchovies.
San Francisco’s famed Fisherman’s Wharf district is seeing a surge in sea lions.
First appearing at Pier 39 after the 1989 earthquake, the sea lions have become a well known tourist attraction. The number of sea lions — marine mammals that make loud barking calls and can weight up to a half-ton — crashing at the pier fluctuates over the seasons. On most days more than a hundred can be seen.
CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS CHARGE TOWARD STARTLED BEACHGOERS, EMPTYING BUSY COVE
But this week, Pier 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor has counted more than 1,000 sea lions, and that’s the most seen there in 15 years. A huge school of anchovies — a favored food of the pinnipeds — brought them there, Chandor said.
Sea lions are seen on rafts along Pier 39, on May 2, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
“It’s all about the seafood. It’s all about the food,” Chandor said. “A very good way to put it is they are fueling up for the mating season. It’s spring. They are ready to rock and roll down in the Channel Islands, and we’re a nice pit stop with some great seafood.”
The spike in sea lions is indeed only expected to be temporary. But the barges the sea lions lounge on are designed to hold significant weight, and officials admit this current surge is testing their limits.
Biologists said the number of anchovies in the bay that seems to have attracted extra sea lions this spring is especially high. Chandor said the schooling fish were off the Farallon Islands.
Meanwhile, shops and businesses in the area were hoping the sea lion surge would also result in a tourist shopping spree, attracting more visitors to the area. Sea lion lovers have been flocking to the pier to catch a glimpse of the huge, noisy herd.
“I’ve never seen that many sea lions in one place. I heard about this place, and we came here a few minutes ago, and it’s awesome to see them,” said Theresa Simbeck, a visitor from Germany. “It’s very loud, of course, but it’s really nice to see all of them. And it’s funny to watch them fight and relax in the sun.”
Big numbers of sea lions have come to their pier in past years, and some 1,700 have previously arrived, Chandor said. It’s usually 300 to 400 in winter and up to 700 in spring, Chandor said.
Read the full article from Here
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 29, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 29 drawing
03-19-35-51-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from April 29 drawing
06-19-24-30-48, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from April 29 drawing
16-18-27-28, Bonus: 05
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 29 drawing
07-52-56-67-69, Powerball: 03
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from April 29 drawing
11-14-24-29-45
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 29 drawing
05-10-17-21-42, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — As temperatures rise in Southern Nevada, animal shelters are bracing for the annual surge of newborn cats known as “kitten season.”
Kitten season happens every year between about March and October, when warmer weather leads community cats to breed, and shelters begin seeing little kittens trickle in.
Animal care officials urged residents who spot kittens in their neighborhoods to avoid intervening right away.
The best thing to do, they said, is to leave the kittens where they are because their mother is likely caring for them.
Even if the mother cat is not immediately visible, she may be nearby searching for food.
The mother cat is taking care of the kittens, and removing them can reduce their chances of survival.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Their best chance, officials said, is for the kittens to stay with their mom, who can provide nourishment.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A 36-year-old inmate died at the Metropolitan Detention Center after a medical emergency in custody.
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center said Julian Wilgress was in custody when staff called a medical emergency code at about 1 p.m. on April 28.
MDC said Wilgress was booked into the jail on April 27.
MDC personnel said a medical team from the University of New Mexico Hospital responded, but Wilgress died.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office came to the facility to investigate. MDC’s Office of Professional Standards is also investigating under standard protocol.
The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator will determine the official cause and manner of death.
This marks the second inmate death at MDC after Derrick Benavides died on Monday morning.
-
Kansas47 seconds agoWhy Kansas City bars are adding gratuity fees this summer
-
Kentucky7 minutes agoKentucky target Aidan O’Neil will announce decision on Friday
-
Louisiana13 minutes agoLouisiana governor plans to suspend May primary to redraw US House map, Washington Post reports
-
Maine19 minutes agoA Maine progressive in Trump country, Troy Jackson seeks the Blaine House
-
Maryland25 minutes agoMaryland Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 29, 2026
-
Michigan31 minutes ago
Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for April 29, 2026
-
Massachusetts37 minutes agoEastern Mass. boys’ lacrosse: Players of the Week for April 22-28 – The Boston Globe
-
Minnesota43 minutes agoColumbia Heights food shelf expands to meet growing need