WATCH: Hundreds of sea lions take over California roadway near Moss Landing marina, spark safety concerns

Hundreds of sea lions have made a busy Californian road a rare resting place, thus creating a bizarre scene and raising serious issues about safety near Moss Landing Harbor. As reported by SFGATE, the marine mammals have been seen gathering around the Monterey County marina for a number of months now; however, their growing presence on Sandholdt Road has disrupted traffic, while curious visitors stopping to photograph the animals have added to the congestion. Officials are finding it hard to keep the animals off the roads, while wildlife experts warn that visitors coming to take pictures and videos may complicate the matter even further.

SEA LIONS SWARM CALIFORNIA ROADWAY AS AUTHORITIES STRUGGLE

According to a report in SFGATE on Tuesday, sea lions have been gathering near Moss Landing Harbor since July, with their numbers steadily increasing. Over the past two months, the animals have begun occupying at least one lane of Sandholdt Road, causing traffic disruptions.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has been conducting daily patrols, using sirens, barriers and shields to encourage the animals to move away from the roadway. A video shared on social media platform X captures a CHP vehicle sounding its siren as dozens of sea lions retreat from the road.

However, clearing the roadway has proved challenging. The animals frequently return shortly after being moved.

Giancarlo Rulli, associate director at the Marine Mammal Center, told the outlet that although the gathering is unusual for this particular bridge, large sea lion colonies are common around the Monterey Peninsula.

The situation has also attracted visitors hoping to photograph the animals, adding to congestion on a bridge regularly used by residents and fishing crews.

WHY ARE HUNDREDS OF SEA LIONS GATHERING NEAR MOSS LANDING HARBOR?

Wildlife experts have yet to determine exactly why so many sea lions have chosen this location. According to SFGATE, Rulli suggested that the area's proximity to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary could be one reason for the gathering, as the surrounding waters provide abundant food and nearby beaches offer places to rest.

Recent heat waves may also explain their preference for the roadway, as warm concrete offers a comfortable surface for resting. Changing ocean temperatures and shifting fish populations could be influencing their movements.

"Forage fish in general are on the move," Rulli told the outlet. "So marine mammals, in order to keep up with that, are having to migrate farther, move farther. We’re seeing those impacts already."



Wildlife advocates are calling on visitors to stay off the busy bridge, which is dangerous for people because of the lack of space for pedestrians and the slowed speed of cars.

As per experts, the sea lions are expected to eventually relocate as their food moves due to temperature changes in the ocean. However, how long the sea lions will stay at Moss Landing is uncertain.