Lookalike Steller Sea Lion Draws Crowds at San Francisco's Pier 39

Chonkers, the massive celebrity sea lion, has some competition, and the lookalike was ready for his close-up in San Francisco this week.

A huge Steller sea lion hauled itself onto a platform at the city’s famous Pier 39 Thursday to the delight of onlookers.

Officials were quick to point out that it wasn’t “Chonkers”, the beloved 2,000-pound “seal-ebrity” who graced the Bay Area earlier this year, despite the striking resemblance.

“He seems to be a bit smaller,” Sue Muzzin, a Pier 39 spokesperson, told SFGate. “Probably Chonkers’ buddy.”

The hulking newcomer stood out among the hundreds of California sea lions that regularly crowd the docks.

The real Chonkers arrived at Pier 39 in March, alongside a juvenile Steller sea lion that left after a few days. Chonkers, however, stayed for nearly two months, an unusual occurrence, and became a viral sensation after visitors noticed he was nearly three times the size of other sea lions around him.

His enormous frame drew crowds of spectators for a glimpse, and Reddit users gave him his now-famous name, according to Pier 39. The Marine Mammal Center even released a Chonkers plush toy, which quickly sold out.

The Marine Mammal Center began tracking Chonkers March 13, the same day Pier 39 posted a video of him lounging on a dock that went viral. His size gained him international fame, with witnesses saying the sound of Chonkers landing on the dock was like “an oak tree falling down,” according to the Wall Street Journal.

Longtime Pier 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor told SFGate the sighting of Chonkers’ doppelgänger is still noteworthy. Steller sea lions have been spotted around the area more frequently this year than in any other year she could recall.

“Usually they come because of food,” Muzzin said of the animals, which dine mostly on anchovies but also herring, capelin and salmon. “They want to feast.”

Steller sea lions are more commonly found in Washington and Alaska, but wildlife officials believe Chonkers may have ventured into the San Francisco Bay Area in search of food. The species is the largest of the eared seals, growing up to 11 feet long and weighing as much as 2,500 pounds. Their broad, bear-like faces distinguish them from California sea lions, which are much smaller and have narrower, dog-like features.

Steller sea lions are infrequent but not unusual visitors to Pier 39, Giancarlo Rulli, a Marine Mammal Center spokesperson, told SFGate. Chonkers’ extended stay, however, was exceptional.

As for Thursday’s visitor, Pier 39 staff have no plans to name him for now. Muzzin expects the animal to move on within a couple of days but hopes he stays through the holiday weekend.

“We’ll see if he sticks around,” Muzzin said.

The Independent has contacted Pier 39 and the Marine Mammal Center for comment.