360Video photos on Flickr

A young sea lion makes its way back to the ocean after getting stuck on a pedestrian platform at Quarry Cove, part of Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, March 8, 2020.

BLM video: Meredith Matherly

A young sea lion ventured to a pubic viewing platform Sunday at Yaquina Head before being gently ushered back towards the ocean.

Of all the wildlife viewable at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, sea lions are a rarity and more commonly seen near the Newport bayfront, according to Meredith Matherly, a BLM staffer who captured video and helped with the operation.

“We’ve never seen one walk up the ramp and be all the way up there,” said Matherly, referring to the pedestrian access area for Quarry Cove.

The normal strategy for marine mammal interaction at Yaquina Head is to put up clear signs and do nothing, said Matherly.

“We usually just leave them alone, see what they do,” she said.

Unfortunately on Sunday, some visitors did not heed the signs and ventured very close to the sea lion.

Due to the human interaction and receding tide, Yaquina Head staffers decided to call the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network for help.

A stranding coordinator with the network, part of Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, responded and was able to coax the nearly 1-year-old sea lion back to the beach.

From there, onlookers could watch as it made its way back to the water.

Marine mammals are protected by federal law and it is illegal to disturb, handle or feed them.

Sea lions are capable of biting and certainly could harm a person, said Matherly. Another concern is that the wild animals become too accustomed to people and begin frequenting human-populated areas more often.

With seal pup season approaching in May for the Oregon Coast, it is a good time to remind everyone to steer clear of all marine mammals.

Seal mothers, in particular, often leave their pups unattended on beaches while foraging. If the seal mothers see humans near the pups, they may abandon them.

To report an injured, stranded or dead marine mammal on the Oregon Coast, call the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network: 541-270-6830.

To file a report for the entire West Coast, call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network: 1-866-767-6114.

- More information from OMMSN: ow.ly/QA6850yH2H9

- What is a stranding, via NOAA Fisheries Service: ow.ly/xdPM50yH2IO

📍 Visit Yaquina Head: on.doi.gov/2G2Jmfo

🌐 Virtual lighthouse tour: youtu.be/vR3p4p2FKNU

📲 Google Street View on Lighthouse Drive: goo.gl/KWi6wi

Tags 360Video

View allAll Photos Tagged 360Video