Leo's page
Leo was the most amazing male we observed on Sea Lion Island. In 1995, he was the beachmaster of the main breeding area, keeping an almost exclusive control of a large harem of 124 females: he did about 97% of the observed copulations in and around the harem. He was again beachmaster in 1996, holding an harem of 129 females. In 1997, he was not the beachmaster, but was anyway able to get control of the largest harem of the area (96 females). In all, his estimated fertilization success for three breeding season is around 350 females. Leo was not observed on Sea Lion Island in 1998, not during the molt nor during the breeding season. Leo was a very active breeding male, capable to sustain a very intensive behavioural performance. His mating rate was high, up to 5 successful mating attempts per hour, almost three-four times the mating rate of other successful harem holders, like Ovo.