Seals take over California beach that was closed during government shutdown
By Christopher Brito
/ CBS News
Dozens of elephant seals have taken over a beach in California that was closed during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The new residents waddled their way onto Drakes Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore just in time for pup season, CBS San Francisco reports.
During the course of the 35-day shutdown, trash was piling up in national parks across America, but the scene was much different –– and noisier –– at Drakes Beach.
"I've not seen anything like this here with these numbers," park spokesperson John Dell'Osso told CBS San Francisco. "An occasional rogue elephant seal yes, but nothing like this."
The large herd at Drakes Beach is the result of a combination of circumstances. Strong storms and high tides probably limited the amount of beach space available for the 50 to 60 adult seals looking for a space for pup season. The Ken Patrick Visitor Center provided a large enough space and it was virtually deserted during the government shutdown, providing a practical and quiet place for this herd to land. Park officials believe they will likely stay for a while.
"Now we have some 35 to 40 pups that have been born on the beach and will be nursing from their mothers for the next couple of months," Dell'Osso said.
The National Park Service decided to close the visitor's center parking area and the road that leads to it to prevent any problems, but they're trying to figure out how to allow some public access here without large crowds, which might unsettle any anxious mom or dad seals.
"I just want to caution the public to be patient with us, as were trying to work our way through this," Dell'Osso said. "Whatever we do this weekend, next weekend could be different."
The elephant seal herd is both a wildlife viewing opportunity and a wildlife protection challenge, and maybe not just in the short term. There's a possibility the herd could return next year.
Another spot in California where this is more common is Año Nuevo State Rerserve, about two hours to the south. Point Reyes rangers have been calling experts from there, trying to learn more about how to deal with a large population of elephant seals and the humans who want to see them.
First published on January 31, 2019
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Seals take over beach that was closed during shutdown
More than 50 adult elephant seals and their pups now call Drakes Beach in California home –– and they don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon
updated 4M ago 
Ralph Northam addresses controversial abortion comments
Northam has been under fire for his description of late-term abortions
updated 5M ago 
ICE reportedly force-feeding detainees through nasal tubes
More detainees are refusing food at the El Paso Processing Center than at any other ICE facility, the AP reports
updated 6M ago 
Elizabeth Warren blasts billionaire's bid for bankrupt Sears
Massachusetts Senator calls out Eddie Lampert's commitment to workers, given his "history of slashing jobs"
updated 8M ago 
This week on "Sunday Morning" (February 3)
A look at the features for this week's broadcast of the #1 Sunday morning news program
updated 9M ago 
Ralph Northam addresses controversial abortion comments
Northam has been under fire for his description of late-term abortions
updated 5M ago
Elizabeth Warren blasts billionaire's bid for bankrupt Sears
Massachusetts Senator calls out Eddie Lampert's commitment to workers, given his "history of slashing jobs"
updated 8M ago 
Pence tells DEA border wall necessary to prevent trafficking
Mike Pence tells DEA employees "you fight for us every day" in speech at agency's headquarters
updated 53M ago 
Climate change skeptics live where it hurts economy most: study
Americans who least believe in climate change live where its effects are forecast to hurt most, Brookings Institution says
updated 59M ago 
Kentucky governor says U.S. is getting "soft" on weather
"There's no ice going with it or any snow," said Bevin. "What happens to America?"
1H ago 
29 children and babies die from cold as families seek shelter: Report
"Children are dying from hypothermia as their families flee to safety," said Elizabeth Hoff, WHO representative in Syria.
1H ago 
"Disturbing" discovery: Giant hole found under Antarctica glacier
It is growing at an "explosive" rate that surprised researchers, NASA says
1H ago 
Trump’s stance on Venezuela garners rare bipartisan support in Congress
"There are always going to be issues on which we agree," Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala told CBS News
3H ago 
Europeans poised to roll out "vehicle" to dodge Iran sanctions
EU says it's "moving in the same direction" as U.S. on Iran's regional influence and military development, but it wants to keep the nuclear deal alive
5H ago 
Venezuela power struggle hinges on Maduro's military
So far embattled president's commanders are standing by him, but pressure is mounting fast
1H ago 
Mindfulness helped Kathy Bates lose 60 pounds
The 70-year-old actress said she learned about mindfulness from her niece – and has never felt better
2H ago 
"Mobituaries": Who was the first African American major leaguer? Not Jackie Robinson
They made history. So, why don't we know their names?
3H ago 
CBS All Access' "Twilight Zone" reboot gets premiere date
"Twilight Zone" fans can soon enter the fifth dimension all over again
20H ago 
Persons of interest sought in alleged Jussie Smollett attack
Smollett told police he was attacked by two white men early Tuesday who allegedly yelled "this is MAGA country"
17H ago 
The Beatles' historic final concert held on rooftop 50 years ago
By the time they performed, it had been more than two years since their last live show
20H ago 
Climate change skeptics live where it hurts economy most: study
Americans who least believe in climate change live where its effects are forecast to hurt most, Brookings Institution says
updated 59M ago 
These states could move to 100% renewable power
They represent 42% of the U.S. population and a quarter of its economic output — and shift can happen within 25 years
updated 20M ago 
Dad: Hacker spoke to baby, taunted me, turned up thermostat
Hacker accessed Illinois family's Nest security cameras, father says
2H ago
"Disturbing" discovery: Giant hole found under Antarctica glacier
It is growing at an "explosive" rate that surprised researchers, NASA says
1H ago 
Saturn spent billions of years without its rings, NASA says
Saturn's rings may have formed during the age of dinosaurs – but compared to the planet, that's not that old
5H ago
Mindfulness helped Kathy Bates lose 60 pounds
The 70-year-old actress said she learned about mindfulness from her niece – and has never felt better
2H ago 
Woman with dementia dumped outside nursing home, family says
Security footage shows the elderly woman attempting to get inside in the middle of the night after being discharged from the hospital
1H ago 
Drugmaker doubles recall of infant ibuprofen
Some batches found with overly high concentrations of the drug, with infants especially vulnerable to adverse effects
7H ago 
Woman uses DNA test, finds sperm donor – and pays a "devastating" price
A sperm bank is threatening to sue an Oregon woman who contacted her daughter's biological father after using an at-home DNA test
7H ago 
Company accused of fueling opioid crisis wanted to capitalize on treatment: report
ProPublica specifically names Kathe Sackler as being involved with a secretive project called "Project Tango"
7H ago 
Elizabeth Warren blasts billionaire's bid for bankrupt Sears
Massachusetts Senator calls out Eddie Lampert's commitment to workers, given his "history of slashing jobs"
updated 8M ago
Climate change skeptics live where it hurts economy most: study
Americans who least believe in climate change live where its effects are forecast to hurt most, Brookings Institution says
updated 59M ago
These states could move to 100% renewable power
They represent 42% of the U.S. population and a quarter of its economic output — and shift can happen within 25 years
updated 20M ago
Dad: Hacker spoke to baby, taunted me, turned up thermostat
Hacker accessed Illinois family's Nest security cameras, father says
2H ago 
Ben & Jerry's eliminating single-use plastic
Ice cream vendor is doing away with plastic straws and spoons — cups and lids are next
3H ago 
Police show more video in shooting of boy with airsoft gun
14-year-old Antonio Arce was fatally shot as he ran away from a Tempe police officer responding to a vehicle burglary
updated 59M ago 
Nurse indicted on charges of raping incapacitated woman
Nathan Sutherland is expected to enter a plea to the charges at an arraignment hearing next week
updated 15M ago 
Phony pharmacist gave out 745,000 prescriptions, authorities say
She posed as a pharmacist and pharmacy manager for years in three California Walgreens stores, a state investigation finds
6H ago 
Cleveland family says school should've flagged slain girl's absence sooner
Alianna DeFreeze, 14, was abducted on her way to school; her family is suing because they weren't notified about her absence quick enough
18H ago 
"I hope y'all find peace," Texas inmate says before execution
Robert Jennings received lethal injection for killing Officer Elston Howard during a robbery part of a crime spree in July 1988
6H ago Original Article
