Overview
- The viral visitor at Pier 39 is a Steller sea lion estimated at about 2,000 pounds, a species that NOAA says can reach 11 feet and 2,500 pounds.
- Pier 39 harbor masters report he has lingered for about a month after years of occasional appearances at the docks.
- Staff credit plentiful prey for his long stopover, calling it a positive sign for San Francisco Bay’s fish stocks.
- Harbor guidance says the best viewing is early morning until about 9:30 a.m. and again late in the day because he often forages at midday.
- Reddit users popularized the nickname “Chonkers,” which has drawn larger crowds to the pier and spurred outlets to offer live webcam views.