A heartwarming TikTok video featuring a sea lion as a “surfing buddy” has taken the internet by storm. The clip was uploaded by Cosette, a 24-year-old nanny and high school basketball coach from Austin, Texas, racking up 2.2 million views since its debut on October 15.
In the video, Cosette showcased her experience at Porto Chino Beach on San Cristóbal Island during her honeymoon in the Galápagos Islands. She captioned the video with, “I found somewhere you can surf with sea lions.” The footage captures her joy as a playful sea lion swims close by, joining her in riding the waves.
Cosette shared, “While he was recording, a sea lion came over and started body surfing the waves with me! At that beach, the sea lions would surf the waves too.” Her two-week stay on San Cristóbal was filled with such encounters; the sea lions often swam around her and her husband, displaying their playful nature.
She emphasized the importance of respecting their space, saying they were always the ones to approach her and seemed curious about their human counterparts. San Cristóbal Island boasts one of the largest populations of Galápagos sea lions, vital for the ecological balance in the region.
However, the Galápagos Conservancy warns that these endemic animals face threats from overfishing and habitat disturbances, with their populations dropping to around 20,000 over the past 40 years, resulting in their classification as “Endangered.”
An April 2021 study in Scientific Reports highlighted both Galápagos sea lions and Galápagos fur seals as crucial endemic species for conservation efforts, noting significant population declines over the years.
‘Dream Beach Day’
In her video’s caption, Cosette shared her excitement: “It’s not every day you get a sea lion as your surfing buddy! It was scary at first, but I soon learned they just want to play with you!” TikTok users responded with delight and amazement at the sight of the charming sea lion.
User abstravelgirlie exclaimed, “Omg what a good boy!” while PADI commented, “Dream beach day!” Many echoed similar sentiments, declaring it a new dream experience.
The enchanting interaction between Cosette and the sea lion serves as a reminder of the wonder of wildlife and the importance of conservation efforts to protect these playful creatures.