Elephant seals take over Drake's Beach at Point Reyes

When tourism decreased and wildlife management staff were furloughed during the government shutdown, an elephant seal colony in Point Reyes National Seashore spread from their normal spot on the beach to an area normally frequented by humans.

The seals took over at Drakes Beach, knocking down a fence and moving into the parking lot, and they remained lounging in the sand after the park reopened Sunday, leading staff to close the road from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to the beach.

The park is home to a colony of about 1,500 elephant seals.

In the past, a seal or two has popped up on the wide Drakes Beach that's popular with visitors, and  now 50 to 60 adults who've birthed 35 pups have hunkered down.