Sea lions are not a rare sighting in San Francisco. Since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, many have called Pier 39 home. But unlike in other years, one sea lion has made quite a splash for locals and visitors alike. Chonkers the sea lion has taken the internet by storm with both his massive size and personality. He is his own tourist attraction, drawing throngs of fans daily who ask where Chonkers came from and how long he will stay.
Who Is Chonkers the Sea Lion?
Fisherman’s Wharf is home to a number of California sea lions. These animals are known for their antics at Pier 39’s K-Dock, much to the delight of onlookers. But in recent weeks, a different species of sea lion has captured people’s attention and won their hearts around the world.
Chonkers, the Steller sea lion, has called K-Dock home since mid-March. He received his name because of his size, and the massive 1,500 to 2,000-pound sea lion has visited K-Dock in the past. However, past visits were only for a day or two before he vanished again.
This year, Chonkers decided to take a more permanent spot on the dock. His size compared to California sea lions, which at their largest reach approximately 600 pounds, was what initially drew onlookers. However, his gentle nature with the other sea lions kept people coming back…