Marine Mammal Occupiers

Drake's Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore was a favorite spot for US Person years ago, and still is with nature lovers. Only one thing has changed: elephant seals have taken over the beach to give birth to their young, and won't give it back to humans. The invasion, if you can call it that, took place when visitors were barred during the government shutdown. Now that rangers are back on the job, they have decided not to disturb the roughly ninety individuals enjoying the surf and sand. Especially since some of them weigh as much as a small car. A colony of 1500 inhabit nearby Colony Beach, which is protected from tourists by 100 foot cliffs, but Drake's is flat, accessible, and comes with a beautiful view of the Pacific so not only humans like to linger there.

The preferred method used by rangers to discourage occupiers of the marine kind was to wave blue tarps at them. But tarp wavers are apparently not essential employees, so no one was there to shoo the beasts away during the 35 day hiatus.  The seals took advantage to expand their calving grounds, encouraged by high tides and storms inundating their usual beach.  Park officials had told the public that popular Drake's would reopen four days after the shutdown ended, but then had to post another announcement closing public access until the seals have finished their business.  A few males, which can weight up to 4500 lbs, have adventured beyond the beach into the parking lot and picnic area.  So far, tourist seem interested in visiting the marine mammals as they enjoy what used to be human territory; the park is considering offering visitors a guided tour of the seal colony.  A good idea since public education is one mission of your National Park Service.