Fcw. Rosas et al., SEASONAL MOVEMENTS OF THE SOUTH-AMERICAN SEA LION (OTARIA-FLAVESCENS,SHAW) OFF THE RIO-GRANDE-DO-SUL COAST, BRAZIL, Mammalia, 58(1), 1994, pp. 51-59
From 1977 to 1986, 292 dead specimens of Otaria flavescens (synonymy O
. byronia) found between Hermenegildo (33-degrees-40'S) and Barra do E
streito (31-degrees-51'S) in southern Brazil were examined. From April
1985 to May 1986 observations were conducted on hauled-out individual
s on the eastern jetty at Lagoa dos Patos (32-degrees-10'S). Sea lions
apparently move north from rookeries in Uruguay after the breeding se
ason. Most animals (81 %) were males, represented mainly by immature i
ndividuals. Females were mainly adults. The species is present on the
Rio Grande do Sul coast in large numbers from April to June. The extre
mity of the eastern jetty is a resting area for males, with larger num
bers being observed early in the morning, decreasing during the day an
d increasing again in the evening. Although females were observed on t
he jetty, no reproductive activity was noted. Of the 292 carcasses ana
lysed, 29.8 % presented signs of interaction with fisheries. Instances
of aggressive behaviour from fishermen towards sea lions were recorde
d.