Mammals
South American Fur Seal
Arctocephalus australis · also called South American fur seals
Once hunted so intensively for its dense pelt that populations collapsed by more than 90 percent, a South American fur seal has rebuilt its numbers steadily since commercial sealing ended, now breeding across both coasts of southern South America.
Overview
The South American fur seal, Arctocephalus australis, is a recovering pinniped native to ocean and coastal habitat along the coasts of Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. Its history of severe population collapse from fur hunting, substantial modern recovery, and broad coastal range spanning both sides of the continent make it one of the more ecologically resilient fur seal species found anywhere in South America.
A fur trade’s near-total collapse, reversed
Few marine mammals illustrate the destructive power of the historical fur trade as clearly as the South American fur seal, whose population once fell by more than 90 percent before slowly rebuilding into the more secure, increasing population found today.
Status
Least Concern, with populations continuing to increase across much of the species’ historical range following recovery from historical commercial sealing.
South American Fur Seal: common questions
Why was the South American fur seal hunted so heavily?
This species was hunted so intensively for its dense, valuable pelt that populations collapsed by more than 90 percent during peak commercial sealing periods, a pattern shared with several other fur seal species worldwide.
Has the South American fur seal recovered from historical hunting?
Yes, this species has recovered substantially since commercial sealing ended in the region, with populations rebuilding steadily across much of its historical range along the coasts of South America.
What is the mane on a male South American fur seal for?
This species has adult males with a thick, shaggy mane of longer fur around the neck and shoulders, a feature used to signal size and dominance during competition for mates in the breeding season.
Does the South American fur seal conflict with fishing operations?
Yes, this species sometimes comes into direct conflict with commercial fishing operations, competing for the same fish stocks and occasionally becoming entangled in fishing gear along its coastal range.