(Arctocephalus townsendi) The major cause of the Guadalupe fur seal's decline was commercial hunting in the late 1700's and early 1800's. The species was exterminated in southern California waters by 1825. Commercial sealing continued in Mexican waters through 1894. Currently the Guadalupe fur seal seems to be expanding its range, with regular sightings of animals on San Miguel and San Nicolas Islands off the southern California coast.

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