IT'S ELEPHANT SEAL MATING SEASON VS

ELEPHANT SEALS (WEIGHING UP TO 2.5 TONS EACH), HAVE ARRIVED FOR THEIR ANNUAL BREEDING RITUAL AT ANO NUEVO STATE RESERVE. THE RESERVE RANKS AS THE LARGEST MAINLAND BREEDING COLONY IN THE WORLD, FOR NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEALS. FROM MID-DECEMBER THROUGH MARCH ABOUT 4 THOUSAND OF THE LARGE MARINE MAMMALS BEGIN THE QUEST FOR MATES, AND BIRTHING OF A NEW GENERATION. ALSO DURING THAT TIME ABOUT 50 THOUSAND VISITORS COME TO THE PARK TO OBSERVE, WHILE ON 3-MILE GUIDED TOURS. THE PARK IS LOCATED ABOUT 20 MILES NORTH OF SANTA CRUZ.