Throughout the last month one of San Francisco's most popular tourist attractions has gone missing. The Pier 39 sea lion population, usually seen basking on the docks near Pier 39, has been quickly diminishing. Scientists and Pier 39 businesses have been confused as to the reason for the animals sudden behavior which has not been seen in previous years. During the winter months in San Francisco the Pier 39 sea lions population is usually strong in numbers.
Researchers at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito had speculated that the animals were changing their migratory habits due to the lack of food in the immediate area. In the last week a couple thousand California sea lions have been seen off the Oregon Coast. The sea lion's food source migrates to cold water when temperatures become too warm and many scientists agree that the sea lion migration is a direct reflection of this shift in water temperature. This sudden evacuation of Pier 39 by the sea lions have many tourists, businesses and researchers pondering their return this spring.
