Giant sea lions ‘Chonkers’ make rare visit to San Francisco

The roughly 2,000-pound Steller nicknamed “Chonkers” hangs out on San Francisco’s Pier 39, attracting fans from across the country. The giant mammal caused a stir about a month ago when it dragged itself onto a dock and decided to stay. While California sea lions typically congregate in the area, “Chonkers” quickly stood out for their massive size. He is one of at least two Steller sea lions recently spotted in the bay. The animal is more common in the cooler waters of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, so sightings in the Bay Area are less common.