‘Chonkers’ the large sea lion charms the San Francisco Bay area

A gigantic 2,000lb Steller sea lion nicknamed “Chonkers” has become an unexpected local celebrity after taking up residence in the San Francisco Bay.The massive sea lion swam up to a dock on Pier 39 in San Francisco about a month ago and has remained in the area since, drawing attention from residents, visitors and social media users who have been sharing frequent photos and videos of the animal looming over its peers.Chonkers is a much larger breed than the more common California sea lions found in the Bay area, which according to the San Francisco Chronicle rarely exceed more than 850lb and 7ft in length. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, male Steller sea lions can reach up to 2,500lb and 11ft in length, with a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.While Steller sea lions typically live around Alaska, harbormaster Sheila Chandor told the Chronicle in March that they stray as far as San Francisco “every few years”.As many as 2,000 sea lions can often gather on the pier, depending on the time of year. The Chronicle reported last month that Chonkers could be seen near the Pier 39 viewing area, and that local harbor officials had described him as a “morning lark”, advising people to “get to the Pier early” if they wanted to catch a glimpse.