Chile · South Pacific
Chile · stories
Read recent published observations from Chile. Each entry keeps its original source attribution and a link back to the archive.
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
Source: Gabriela Cartes / iNaturalist
18 September 2026 2026 · ValparaísoSouth 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
Source: Seleny.Yneles (seleny_donoso) / iNaturalist
17 September 2026 2026 · BiobíoA 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
Source: Diego Almendras / iNaturalist
16 September 2026 2026 · AtacamaJoaquín 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
Source: Joaquín Bizama / iNaturalist; Radio Cooperativa
12 September 2026 2026 · ValparaísoMariela 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/
Source: Mariela Álvarez via El Diario de Antofagasta
17 July 2026 2026 · AntofagastaA 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/
Source: Diario El Informador; SoyChile
3 March 2026 2026 · La AraucaníaAn ill juvenile sea lion was reported on Los Molinos beach. Local volunteers and Sernapesca responded; a Sernapesca veterinarian found a respiratory condition, and the animal was transferred to a rehabilitation centre in Puerto Montt. Species was not specified. Source: https://www.sernapesca.cl/noticias/lobo-marino-fue-trasladado-desde-los-molinos-hasta-puerto-montt-para-su-recuperacion/
Source: Sernapesca Los Ríos; local Centinelas del Mar volunteers
25 November 2025 2025 · Los RíosSernapesca received reports of a juvenile South American sea lion in the road at Boca Sur. Staff found it alert and in good condition and moved it to the nearby coast, where it entered the sea. This record covers the original roadside encounter. Source: https://www.sernapesca.cl/noticias/sernapesca-activo-el-protocolo-de-rescate-ante-el-varamiento-de-un-lobo-marino-juvenil-en-san-pedro-de-la-paz/
Source: Sernapesca Biobío
22 September 2025 2025 · BiobíoCaio_Preissler (caio_preissler) recorded this encounter on iNaturalist. Photograph shows sea lions on rocks beneath a waterfront structure. The source’s positional accuracy is about 5.9 km. The source identification is Otaria flavescens. Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/260318712
Source: iNaturalist — Caio_Preissler (caio_preissler)
1 January 2025 2025 · ValparaísoAn elephant seal rested beside the Aysén River in Puerto Aysén's Ribera Sur sector. Sernapesca staff attended the animal; regional director Daniela Leiva described it as a healthy subadult male. Source: https://www.diarioregionalaysen.cl/noticia/actualidad/2024/08/elefante-marino-descansando-se-robo-las-miradas-en-puerto-aysen
Source: Sebastián Martel, Diario Regional Aysén; Sernapesca
19 August 2024 2024 · AysénMhairi McFarlane (mhairimcf) recorded this encounter on iNaturalist. Photograph shows a sea lion hauled out on coastal stones. The source identification is Otaria flavescens. Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/195703644
Source: iNaturalist — Mhairi McFarlane (mhairimcf)
1 January 2024 2024 · ValparaísoAntofagasta TV reported a sea lion pup on the Mejillones coast during a filmed attack by dogs. Witnesses described the animal as weak beforehand; its species and later outcome were not established. Source: https://www.antofagasta.tv/categoria/regional/perros-atacaron-cria-lobo-marino-mejillones
Source: Brian Acuña, Antofagasta TV; eyewitness footage
30 April 2023 2023 · Antofagasta