SINAN, June 26 (Korea Bizwire) — A sea lion, once believed to have gone extinct due to indiscriminate poaching by the Japanese during the colonial period, was spotted on Gageo Island in Sinan, 313 kilometers south of Seoul last Thursday.
The sea lion was seen resting on a rock on the Nokseom seashore, which delineates South Korea’s territorial sea border.
Sea lions are typically found in the North Pacific Ocean, primarily in coastal regions such as Siberia and the Kamchatka peninsula. A single male sea lion can weigh over one ton.
Sea lions are capable of diving up to 130 meters deep and swimming at speeds of up to 30 km/h. They typically feed on pollack, mackerel, shrimp, clams, and conches.
South Korea does not have primary habitats for sea lions. They are designated as level II endangered species and are rarely found in the East Sea and around Jeju Island.
Image Credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
Wow! That’s a very rare sort of Sea Lion spotted in Japan!!!