The Sea Lion Project Galapagos was founded in 2003 by Dr. Fritz Trillmich, who has studied Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) since the 1970s. Today, the project is led by Bielefeld University and Professor Oliver Krüger in partnership with the Charles Darwin Foundation.
The research focuses on the sea lion colony of Caamaño Islet (La LoberÃa), just 4km from Puerto Ayora—home to many of the sea lions seen around the town.
The team, including two PhD students, is investigating sea lion development, social behaviours and foraging. Thousands of individuals have been tagged with bright orange flipper tags and tracked throughout their lives. These tags, each with a unique number, help the team gather key data on the individual, including their age, maternal lineage and movements. Dive computers and GPS loggers provide short-term foraging data, but gaps remain.
That’s where you come in. Your sightings will help fill vital knowledge gaps and contribute to the long-term protection of one of Galapagos’ most iconic species.
If you spot a sea lion, especially outside Puerto Ayora, tagged with a bright orange flipper tag, then the team want you to report it! By submitting your photos of tagged sea lions, you can contribute to a long-term effort to understand and protect one of the Archipelago’s most iconic species. Every sighting counts!
To make your submission as valuable as possible, please include the following information:
As a thank you for submitting your report, the Sea Lion Project Galapagos team will share with you information about the individual you spotted and their history.
Whether you are a tourist or a Galapagos resident (dive instructor/fisher/guide, etc.), the Sea Lion Project Galapagos team want to hear from you!
If you spot a sea lion with an orange flipper tag, please complete this Google form (available in Spanish and English)
The team will contact people who submit a report to provide information on the sea lion that they have shared in their report, including age, sex, date of birth, last sighting and more.
The project team will make sure you receive due credit in any scientific publications that include your report data.
By sharing your photos of Galapagos sea lions, you are contributing to vital marine conservation research.
