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San Miguel Island
T he westernmost Channel Island is harsh, wind- California sea lions, Northern elephant seals, Northern
swept, and the water is cold. Early Chumash fur seals, Stellar sea lions, and Guadalupe fur seals. The
inhabitants arrived more than 10,000 years ago, but it latter two have not recently bred here and are rare.
was 19th-Century sheep ranching that nearly de- At times there are tens of thousands of pinnipeds in
stroyed the island environment. Recovery is at last tak- one of the most prolific wildlife displays on earth. The
ing place. Ranger-guided hikers trek 16 miles to Point undersea features fish and invertebrates common only
Bennett and back. Six types of pinnipeds have been north of Point Conception.
observed at the rookery there, including harbor seals,
