Having been hunted to near extinction for their blubber, Elephant Seals are making a return to the California Coast. The first ones arrived to Ano Nuevo, 50 miles south of San Francisco, in the 1950's. Today the beach is protected as Ano Nuevo State Reserve. During the breeding season you must be on a docent-led tour...the only way to see these magnificent mammals up close.

At 14 feet long and weighing 5,000 - 6,000 pounds, elephant seals are the largest pinniped in the world. They arrive in December and breed on the beach from January to March. The bulls gather harems of cows and battle rival males for right to mate.

The cows also give birth during this time. The pups nurse on their mother's rich milk which is 55% fat. After a month, they can gain 200 lbs. and are weaned. These "weaners" are are essentially on their own as their mother leaves them to mate. After breeding the couples part...the cows travel to Hawaii and the bulls to Alaska. They return during the summer to molt.

Seeing them during the winter breeding season is a special treat...their behavorial battles are one of nature's marvels.