seal.watch / chile

Chile · 2020—2026

South American sea lions and fur seals

Seals around Chile.

Follow public seal observations from Chile. Browse published records, explore the places and stories behind them, or share an encounter with the Seal Watch team.

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Total reports
23
Latest observation

Public reports · newest first

Public records archive

3 March—18 September

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6 of 23 reports

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Chile from north to south in three adjoining sections, at the same scale. Markers represent broad named areas, never exact observation locations. Select an area to filter the archive.

6 of 6 reports mapped · 5 areas

North17–30°S

Antofagasta · 1 report1Atacama · 1 report2N ↑
  1. Antofagasta1 report
  2. Atacama1 report

Central30–43°S

Valparaíso · 2 reports3Biobío · 1 report4La Araucanía · 1 report5N ↑
  1. Valparaíso2 reports
  2. Biobío1 report
  3. La Araucanía1 report

South43–56.5°S

N ↑

    No matching reports in this section.

    Map: Natural Earth.

    Reports over time

    All dates

    Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.

    1. 42020
    2. 22021
    3. 42022
    4. 22023
    5. 22024
    6. 32025
    7. 62026

    Months in 2026

    1. 0Jan
    2. 0Feb
    3. 1Mar
    4. 0Apr
    5. 0May
    6. 0Jun
    7. 1Jul
    8. 0Aug
    9. 4Sep
    10. 0Oct
    11. 0Nov
    12. 0Dec

    Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.

    1. 2026
      Valparaíso Region coast Valparaíso
      Unidentified Gabriela Cartes / iNaturalist

      South American fur seals were photographed resting on rocks beside the sea on the Valparaíso Region coast. The iNaturalist community identifies the observation as Arctocephalus australis. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/402080851 South American fur seal

    2. 2026
      Isla Mocha, Lebu Biobío
      Unidentified Seleny.Yneles (seleny_donoso) / iNaturalist

      South American sea lions were photographed hauled out together on coastal rocks at Isla Mocha. The iNaturalist community identifies the observation as Otaria flavescens. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/401149224 South American sea lion

    3. 2026
      Muelle Pesquero de Caldera, Caldera Atacama
      Unidentified Diego Almendras / iNaturalist

      A South American sea lion was photographed in the water beside a boat at Caldera’s fishing pier. The iNaturalist community identifies the observation as Otaria flavescens. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/401414010 South American sea lion

    4. 2026
      Playa del Deporte, Viña del Mar Valparaíso
      Unidentified Joaquín Bizama / iNaturalist; Radio Cooperativa

      Joaquín Bizama photographed a leopard seal resting on the beach in Viña del Mar on 12 September. News coverage places the encounter at Playa del Deporte. The date records this photographic observation; the animal’s first arrival is uncertain. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/399902699 Leopard seal · 1 seal

    5. 2026
      Costanera, Antofagasta Antofagasta
      Unidentified Mariela Álvarez via El Diario de Antofagasta

      Mariela Álvarez filmed a sea-lion pup lying on the waterfront roadway. She observed eye movement, establishing that it was alive. Sernapesca later reported that the pup was no longer there when staff inspected. https://www.diarioantofagasta.cl/regional/antofagasta/228266/video-avistan-a-cria-de-lobo-marino-en-plena-calzada-y-en-riesgo-de-ser-atropellada-en-antofagasta/ Species not recorded · 1 seal

    6. 2026
      Costanera, Puerto Saavedra La Araucanía
      Unidentified Diario El Informador; SoyChile

      A southern elephant seal rested on the sand along Puerto Saavedra’s waterfront. Local reporting describes the animal as calm while maritime police attended. https://elinformadordigital.cl/noticias-destacadas/presencia-de-elefante-marino-genero-llamado-preventivo-en-puerto-saavedra/ Southern elephant seal · 1 seal