Japanese Sea Lion
Zalophus Jabonicus
The Japanese Sea Lion was discovered by Peters in 1866. The initial population of this animal was estimated between 30,000-50,000. They lived in the waters around Japan and Korea. Unlike most Sea Lions, they spent most of there time on land in caves. They ate squid, octopus, herring, and mackerel. The only known predators were humans, and in the 1950's, humans hunted them into extinction.
The Japanese Sea Lion went extinct for three main reasons. They were over hunted by fisherman. Their skin was used to make clothes and shoes, their whiskers for pipe cleaner. Their internal organs were used to make medicines and oils. They also went extinct because they were captured and traded to the circus. Their habitat was destroyed during World War 2.
They helped to keep the growth of other species in check. If we had chosen to make them a tourist attraction, the fisherman would have made more money, and the Sea Lion would still be alive. To help, you could buy products from companies who use palm oil in their products. Taking steps like these could have saved the Sea Lion, and could help save many other species.
By: Olivia Rhodes
Lowry, L. 2015. Zalophus japonicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T41667A45230455. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T41667A45230455.en. Downloaded on 19 February 2016
Saundry, Peter. "Japanese Sea Lion." Japanese Sea Lion. Encyclopedia of Life, 2 July 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.