Galapagos Sea Lion sleeping on bench, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (August 2023)

This image was taken during the Gems of Galapagos trip organised by Natures Images and led by Mark Sisson and Pablo Cersosimo (Wild South Photography). An eight-day cruise was undertaken aboard the catamaran Nemo II following the south itinerary:

Day 1 Baltra (midday start), North Seymour (pm)
Day 2 San Cristobal: Lobos Island - Kicker Rock (am), Brujo Hill (pm)
Day 3 Floreana: Champion Islet - Cormorant Point (am), Post Office Bay - The Baroness Viewpoint (pm)
Day 4 Espanola: Osborn Islet - Gardner Island - Gardner Bay (am), Suarez Point (pm)
Day 5 Santa Cruz: Highlands (am), Charles Darwin Station (pm)
Day 6 South Plaza (am), Santa Fe (pm)
Day 7 Bartolome (am), Chinese Hat (pm)
Day 8 Daphne Major - Baltra (8:30 am end)

Status is classified as Endangered. For more information on this species of sea lion see the following links:
Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) / Wikipedia
Galápagos Sea Lion Zalophus wollebaeki / IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Galapagos sea lion Zalophus wollebaeki / Galapagos Conservation Trust

iPhone photo.