New Giant Sea Lion Turns Up at Pier 39

Tourists strolling the bustling K‑Dock at Pier 39 were greeted, not by the giant “seal‑ebrity” they’ve come to love, but by a different Steller sea lion. The newcomer is noticeably smaller than the hefty Chonkers that made headlines back in March, prompting a quick phone interview with pier spokesperson Sue Muzzin.

“He seems a bit smaller, maybe a friend of Chonkers,” Muzzin told SFGATE on Thursday. She added that the animal appears to be just another hungry marine mammal drawn to the dock’s steady supply of anchovies, herring, capelin and, when lucky, salmon.

Long‑time harbormaster Sheila Chandor, who has watched the seals and sea lions come and go for decades, noted that this year has seen more Steller sea‑lion sightings than any recent season. “Usually they’re here because there’s food,” she said, smiling. “When the fish are abundant, they turn up, and they love a good feast.”

For context, Steller sea lions are the biggest of the eared seals, capable of reaching 11 feet in length and tipping the scales at up to 2,500 pounds. By contrast, the California sea lions that share the California coast are roughly a third of that size. Their massive, bear‑like faces and slow‑moving swagger made Chonkers an instant celebrity when he strutted onto K‑Dock in March, prompting Reddit users to christen him and crowds to line up three rows deep to catch a glimpse.

Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for the Marine Mammal Center, reminded reporters that while Steller sea‑lion appearances at Pier 39 are not unheard of, they are still relatively rare. “What set Chonkers apart was how long he stayed – about two months – and how much the public rallied around him,” Rulli explained. The center even produced a plush version of Chonkers that sold out almost immediately, turning the sea lion into a pop‑culture icon.

As for the latest visitor, Pier 39 staff have decided not to give him a formal name. “We’ll see if he sticks around,” Muzzin said, hopeful that his brief cameo might still boost holiday‑weekend traffic. If all goes according to nature’s script, the lion will likely head back out to sea in a few days, leaving the dock to its regular roster of gulls, tourists, and the occasional curious seal.

In the meantime, locals and visitors alike are reminded that these majestic animals are wild, and while they’re a joy to watch, they deserve the space to come and go as they please.