Posted on: January 19, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO, CA ( January 17, 2011) -- In celebration of PIER 39’s Sea Lion 21st Anniversary, Aquarium of the Bay, The Marine Mammal Center and PIER 39 will be offering the public free Walk & Talk Tours with Aquarium of the Bay Naturalists, January 21-23. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about California sea lions. The tour will conclude with complimentary cookies and milk at Sea Lion Cafe along with a special visit from PIER 39’s mascot “Salty the Sea Lion”. The 20-30 minute Walk & Talk Tours begin each day at the top of the hour from 11am to 4pm. Naturalists will meet guests at the Sea Lion statue near the Blue & Gold Fleet Kiosk. The tour will continue down “Sea Lion Way” to PIER 39’s K-Dock where the sea lions reside. The Marine Mammal Center and Aquarium of the Bay displays will be on-site throughout the three-day event to further enhance the educational experience. In addition, all Walk & Talk Tour participants will be given half-off admission to Aquarium of the Bay and Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure tickets, and 10% off of purchases at The Marine Mammal Center Store during event days, January 21-23. For more information visit www.pier39.com .

Background on PIER 39 Sea Lions

In January of 1990 shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake, California sea lions began “hauling out” on PIER 39’s K-Dock. They initially numbered from 10-50, but due to a plentiful herring supply, available dock space and a protective environment, the population grew to more than 300 within a couple of months. The PIER 39 sea lions became an international sensation. Then in November 2009, right after a record number of these playful mammals (1,706 to be exact) took over K-Dock, their numbers dwindled. As explained by Jeff Boehm, Executive Director of The Marine Mammal Center, “we saw a record number of yearling sea lions stranded as a result of an abrupt change in the classic upwelling pattern, which caused their food sources to shift further off shore.” Huge numbers of California sea lions were spotted off the Monterey Bay and Oregon Coasts where there was a plentiful food supply. Slowly the sea lions migrated back to their home at San Francisco’s PIER 39 where the population has averaged at about 50-300 depending upon the season. On-going educational programs take place throughout the year at both Aquarium of the Bay and The Marine Mammal Center. The Marine Mammal Center’s Sea Lions in the City program is a one-hour group program that teaches students about California sea lions’ natural history, their antics and why they like PIER 39. Participants study a sea lion skeleton and touch seal, sea lion and otter pelts. Aquarium of the Bay is a unique, nonprofit nature center dedicated to inspiring conservation of the San Francisco Bay and its watershed. Aquarium of the Bay hosts free classroom programs and tours for Bay Area K-12 students to experience an awe-inspiring, immersive, hands-on educational experience. For more details visit www.aquariumofthebay.org or www.marinemammalcenter.org. # # #

Link: www.pier39.com