Human-sea lion interaction on San Cristóbal Island of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Presenter Hometown
Pikeville, Ky
Major
Animal Studies and Psychology
Department
Psychology
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Robert W. Mitchell
Mentor Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Rowe, Andrea, "Human-sea lion interaction on San Cristóbal Island of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador" (2017). University Presentation Showcase Event. 11.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2017/undergraduate/11
Abstract
Humans are commonly interested in animals, whether it be watching them on television, visiting zoos, or interacting with them in the wild. Among the most popular tourism sites for such interactions are the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. There are several fascinating species on these islands, and sea lions represent the most commonly experienced animals for visitors. Humans and sea lions sometimes try to interact, with potentially disastrous consequences. This study details the kinds of behaviors that occurred in human-sea lion interactions from videotapes made on San Cristóbal Island during the summer of 2008. Sixty-three videos were observed on the Noldus system and then coded to determine the kinds of interactions that occurred. Humans mostly observed and photographed the sea lions, and often moved out of their way; less frequent were contact or attempted contact, teasing, and beating sticks on the ground or water to get sea lions to move away. Sea lions mostly observed people; some tried to initiate play, and some approached or moved away from people. There was little interspecies aggression, though some sea lions barked at them when humans were close. This study provides knowledge of human-sea lion interactions to help conservationists educate residents and visitors on how they should act toward these native animals, thereby avoiding negative interactions.
Presentation format
Poster
Poster Number
092
Human-sea lion interaction on San Cristóbal Island of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Humans are commonly interested in animals, whether it be watching them on television, visiting zoos, or interacting with them in the wild. Among the most popular tourism sites for such interactions are the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. There are several fascinating species on these islands, and sea lions represent the most commonly experienced animals for visitors. Humans and sea lions sometimes try to interact, with potentially disastrous consequences. This study details the kinds of behaviors that occurred in human-sea lion interactions from videotapes made on San Cristóbal Island during the summer of 2008. Sixty-three videos were observed on the Noldus system and then coded to determine the kinds of interactions that occurred. Humans mostly observed and photographed the sea lions, and often moved out of their way; less frequent were contact or attempted contact, teasing, and beating sticks on the ground or water to get sea lions to move away. Sea lions mostly observed people; some tried to initiate play, and some approached or moved away from people. There was little interspecies aggression, though some sea lions barked at them when humans were close. This study provides knowledge of human-sea lion interactions to help conservationists educate residents and visitors on how they should act toward these native animals, thereby avoiding negative interactions.
