Conservation status:

Extinction

            Extinct

            Extinct in the wild

Threatened

            Critically endangered

            Endangered

            Vulnerable

            Threatened

Lower risk

            Conservation dependent

            Near threatened

            Least concern

            Domesticated

Data deficient

(according to IUCN)

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The commercial hunting of elephant seals started in the beginning of the 19^th century, mainly for their oil. Due to this hunting, the population decreased enormously so that this activity was no longer profitable. After a small recuperation of the population, the hunting started again in the beginning of the 20^th century, this time regulated, until the final prohibition in 1964.

The total population is between 650.000 and 750.000 animals. Most of their most important breeding sites are now protected by international treaty, as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (like e.g. Península Valdés) or by national legislation.

This species is listed in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) and considered under ‘least concern’ by the IUCN (World Conservation Union). Argentina listed this species in the ‘Red Book’ (SAREM - Argentine Association for the Study of Mammals) under ‘least concern' and 'conservation dependent'.

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