If the mom and pup Galápagos sea lions in the photo above seem content, it could be that we’re simply projecting human emotions onto them. Or it may just be that that their bellies are full with fish.
In fact, barring close encounters with rapacious sharks, they’ve probably had it pretty good lately — thanks to La Niña. Now in its third year, the climate phenomenon typically brings a bounty of food for marine animals foraging in the waters of the Galápagos Islands.
But now, according to the latest forecast, La Niña is poised to leave the stage. And there are tentative signs that its alter-ego, El Niño, is warming up for an appearance next fall — literally so, since El Niño brings abnormally warm waters to that part of the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
Should that happen, Galápagos marine life won’t be the only ones to suffer.
La Niña and ...
