Where's Chonkers? Beloved Steller sea lion missing from SF's Pier 39

"The roughly 2,000-pound Steller sea lion became an internet sensation during his extended stay at the popular waterfront attraction, where he even got his own sign and plush toy from the Marine Mammal Center. Visitors have continued to stop by in hopes of spotting him. “Of course I know who Chonkers is,” one visitor said. “We have heard of Chonkers,” another added. “We thought we'd stop in and see Chonkers, so we're hoping to see him,” a third visitor said."

"But so far, those hopes have gone largely unfulfilled. “I feel like I heard a few people saying, 'Oh, I think I see him in the back here', but I don't I don't think anybody actually did,” one visitor said. Experts say there could be a natural explanation for his disappearance. Daniel Costa, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California at Santa Cruz, said the sea lion may have moved on to establish territory ahead of breeding season."

"“I suspect that he is now at the Farallon Islands, too, right off San Francisco or maybe even Ano Nuevo island,” Costa said. Still, his absence may not be permanent. “We could see him tomorrow. We could not. We might not see him for months. He might not ever come back,” Costa said. A spokesperson for Pier 39 said the sea lion has been visiting the area intermittently for about 15 years, usually staying only a few days at a time."

A large Steller sea lion known as Chonkers became a viral attraction at San Francisco’s Pier 39, drawing crowds and receiving a sign and plush toy from the Marine Mammal Center. Visitors continued stopping by hoping to see him, but sightings have largely not happened since Friday. Experts suggest a natural explanation, including moving to establish territory ahead of the breeding season, possibly near the Farallon Islands or Ano Nuevo. His absence may be temporary, with the possibility of seeing him again tomorrow or not for months, and he might not return. Pier 39 staff said the sea lion has visited intermittently for about 15 years, usually staying only a few days.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco