Elephant Seal Lecture at Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

July 14

Learn about Ano Nuevo State Reserve's most popular residents -- the northern elephant seal -- at a facinating lecture at the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel. Join Ano Nuevo docent Bob Fox as he shares digital presentations and actual artifacts from the seal colony, and find out what makes these marine mammals so unique.

Hunted to the brink of extinction at the turn of the 20th century, the northern elephant seal has made a strong comeback in the past 100 years, thanks in part to both government restrictions on hunting and their own secluded, deep-sea lifestyle.

The seals only come ashore for a few months each year to compete, mate, and give birth, and Ano Nuevo State Reserve is the site of this powerful ecological pagent from mid-December to April. Luckily, the reserve offers guided walks and observation stations during the breeding season, where visitors can get a peek at these imposing animals in action.

Bob Fox has been a Docent Naturalist for Ano Nuevo State Reserve for the past three years. He is part of a group of more than 300 trained volunteers that act as guides during the elephant seal season. For the rest of the year he works at the reserve with other docents, teaching visitors about the wildlife in the park and the history of Ano Nuevo.