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Steller's sea ape

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Painted illustration: odd seal-like animal by Alaskan islands
AI rendition based on witness descriptions, not an actual photo.
Georg Steller's own 1751 drawing of a sea otter, an animal he knew well (not his sea ape)
Georg Steller's own 1751 drawing of a sea otter, an animal he knew well (not his sea ape) · unknown (engraving), Georg Wilhelm Steller (original drawing) · Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source
A bull northern fur seal, one animal proposed as Steller's sea ape
A bull northern fur seal, one animal proposed as Steller's sea ape · Garst, Warren, 1922-2016, photographer · CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source · License

A marine mammal Georg Steller reported near the Shumagin Islands in 1741.

Explained Verdict: Steller most likely misidentified a northern fur seal.

Region
Oceans · United States (Alaska)
First reports
10 August 1741

Key sightings

Best evidence

One account.

Sources