BIODIVERSITY
SAVING THE SEA LIONS LIVING WITH KANGAROOS
KANGAROO ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
Traveling to new places can introduce you to animals that you might not hear about at home. Kangaroo Island in Australia is that kind of place, and it is home to more than kangaroos. The island’s Australian sea lion research is an innovation and inspiration to help you think of how best to advocate for native wildlife where you live.
What's
changing
Fewer than 12,000 Australian sea lions are left in the wild, and numbers are continuing to fall. There is no clear answer about what is contributing to their decline, but theories include parasites found in cat feces, microplastics, heavy metals in the food chain and issues related to climate change that we do not fully understand. Research is necessary for biologists to better understand how to save these endemic Australian animals.
What's already
possible
Seal Bay, on Kangaroo Island, is home to the only ongoing research facility for Australian sea lions. It is open to visitors who want to support conservation efforts and learn more about the research.
Seizing
the opportunity
Visitors to Seal Bay increase their awareness of these apex predators by experiencing the sea lions in their native habitat. Self-guided tours take visitors along wheelchair accessible boardwalks and viewing platforms that protect the fragile landscape. Guided tours that go to the beach are also available. Since 2019, a new 2-hour research tour leads guests onto the beach with a senior guide. They learn about sea lions, research techniques like microchipping and have the chance to report data back to the South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI). Tours take place at sunrise and sunset. Donations support the Australian sea lion research fund.
Standout
tactic
Conservation on Kangaroo Island is a cooperative effort. The island is sometimes referred to as Australia’s Galapagos Island, and encounters with wildlife are so common that it is easy to understand how the health of one species can affect another. While conservation tours at Seal Bay support sea lion research, other preservation efforts work to improve ecosystem quality from different angles. A recent project to rehabilitate native shellfish reef systems is helping improve water quality. Shellfish restoration is supported by oyster farms in the area. Tour operators, like Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures, try to minimize any impact on marine mammal communication and opt for propeller-less boats. Tourism businesses also actively contribute to dolphin and marine research, while companies like Exceptional Kangaroo Island set clear guidelines for staff and visitors to responsibly engage in wildlife viewing.
How
it helps
About 100,000 people visit Seal Bay annually. Revenue from the tours goes to national parks and supports parks and wildlife programs through the Department of Environment and Water.
Diving
deeper
How can destinations with iconic wildlife ensure that other critical habitats or species are not neglected, potentially leading to an imbalance in the island’s broader ecosystem?
Increasing
impact
Seal Bay representatives are passionate about the need to increase awareness of the Australian sea lion in the marine environment. For this and other similar research efforts, perhaps virtual tours, educational modules in schools and online resources could increase awareness beyond the people who physically visit Seal Bay.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
