Where Is Chonkers? Pier 39 Fans Uncovered a Sea Lion Imposter

Quick Take

Chonkers didn't stumble onto K-Dock by accident. He had a calculated reason for setting up camp there that experts say is surprisingly strategic. See his strategic reasoning →
Fans visited Pier 39 thinking Chonkers was still there, not realizing that the sea lion they were watching wasn't him at all. Meet the imposter sea lion →
No one knows where Chonkers went, and the theories about his destination are more wide-ranging than you'd expect. Explore the destination theories →
Chonkers belongs to a sea lion population with a conservation status most people would get wrong. Check his conservation status →

Sea lions are not a rare sighting in San Francisco. Since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, many have called Pier 39 home. But unlike in other years, one sea lion has made quite a splash for locals and visitors alike. Chonkers the sea lion has taken the internet by storm with both his massive size and personality. He is his own tourist attraction, drawing throngs of fans daily who ask where Chonkers came from and how long he will stay.

Who Is Chonkers the Sea Lion?

Fisherman’s Wharf is home to a number of California sea lions. These animals are known for their antics at Pier 39’s K-Dock, much to the delight of onlookers. But in recent weeks, a different species of sea lion has captured people’s attention and won their hearts around the world.

Chonkers, the Steller sea lion, has called K-Dock home since mid-March. He received his name because of his size, and the massive 1,500 to 2,000-pound sea lion has visited K-Dock in the past. However, past visits were only for a day or two before he vanished again.

This year, Chonkers decided to take a more permanent spot on the dock. His size compared to California sea lions, which at their largest reach approximately 600 pounds, was what initially drew onlookers. However, his gentle nature with the other sea lions kept people coming back.

Chonkers is believed to belong to the eastern Steller sea lion population. Unlike the western population, this group is not considered endangered, although it once was. Today, with numbers estimated at around 37,000, eastern Steller sea lions are categorized as threatened.

Why Chonkers Was Relaxing and Sunning in San Francisco

For those who frequent K-Dock in San Francisco, seeing a Steller sea lion is not common. However, they have mingled with the seals on the dock in the past. What sets Chonkers apart from other Steller sea lions is that he was not just a passerby; he appeared to be making K-Dock his temporary home.

According to the Director of Conservation Engagement at the Marine Mammal Center, Adam Ratner, Chonkers saw an opportunity he could not pass up. Not only did he get to socialize with local sea lions, whose company Steller sea lions enjoy, but he also had a safe place to sun and relax between feedings. K-Dock has proven to be an oasis of sorts for Chonkers.

“Chonkers is working smarter, not harder,” Ratner explained to SF Gate. “It’s a chance for him to fatten up before breeding season starts in a month. He’s finding food and getting ready before he has to compete with animals that are bigger than him.”

Steller sea lions require 50 to 59 pounds of food daily in the weeks leading up to breeding season. This is 45% to 60% more food than they would normally eat. Given his size, Chonkers is working hard to follow this diet in preparation for a journey south.

Chonkers Has Gone Missing

Chonkers has grabbed national and international attention since first appearing at K-Dock in mid-March. Droves of people have come out to Pier 39 to catch a glimpse of the car-sized sea lion. But in recent weeks, visitors have been disappointed as Chonkers has seemingly vanished.

What is interesting is that no one knows just when Chonkers was last seen. Many reports state the last official sighting was on May 1, 2026. Whether Chonkers was on K-Dock after this date is unclear. This is because a large California sea lion was mistaken for being Chonkers for several days.

Since discovering that there was an imposter on K-Dock, there have been no sightings of Chonkers. Some believe he may be headed to Southern California, back to the Farallon Islands for breeding, or to Washington or Oregon. Since no one knows where Chonkers originally came from, any of these options is possible.

Since this is not the first time Chonkers has appeared at Pier 39, he may show up again this season. If he does, his throng of fans will be waiting.