Viral giant sea lion 'Chonkers' returns to San Francisco's Pier 39
San Francisco's most talked-about marine visitor is back.
"Chonkers," the massive Steller sea lion that has captivated locals and tourists alike, returned to Pier 39 early Wednesday morning, according to KGO-TV.
The nearly 2,000-pound animal was spotted around 6 a.m. PT, bringing excitement to the waterfront.
The oversized sea lion first made waves about a month ago when he hauled himself onto the docks and decided to stay.
Much larger than the California sea lions that usually fill the docks, Chonkers, a Stellar sea lion, quickly stood out, both for his size and for the loud thud he makes when he drops down.
The Steller sea lion can grow significantly larger than the California sea lion. Adult male California sea lions typically weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds, whereas Steller sea lions can exceed 2,000 pounds, according to NOAA Fisheries.
Steller sea lions are more commonly found in colder waters, including Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, making sightings in the Bay Area less common, according to The Marine Mammal Center.
The giant marine mammal has become something of a local celebrity. Social media users have closely tracked Chonkers' appearances, sharing photos and videos of him lounging on the docks or squeezing in among the smaller sea lions.
Tourists have also flocked to Pier 39 for a glimpse of the gentle giant, who has been frequently spotted sunbathing alongside his smaller dockmates.
Chonkers' nickname, a playful nod to internet slang for something humorously chubby, was coined by San Francisco-based Reddit user Des Tan.
Chonkers isn't alone, however -- KGO-TV, reports that he is one of at least two Steller sea lions recently spotted in the Bay.
