Mom Cleo gave birth on July 14 to a female pup, who is as yet unnamed. The proud first-time papa is Kiani, who came from the Georgia Aquarium on breeding loan. Meanwhile, “aunties” Beebe and Clarice, and four-year-old half-sibling Indy are all eager to help show the pup around the pool.
“Our Sea Lion Pool is the centerpiece of Astor Court and this little pup is a wonderful addition to an already popular exhibit,” said Jim Breheny, Wildlife Conservation Society director, Bronx Zoo. “She is a real crowd-pleaser and already a favorite among all who visit,” continued Breheny. The Sea Lion Pool is adjacent to the new permanent Madagascar! exhibit, which opened in June inside the landmark Lion House as part of the WCS Gateways to Conservation campaign.
The pup’s official debut is just in time for the Bronx Zoo’s Play Week event presented by Bank of America and Fisher-Price® through Sunday, August 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids will have a chance to test out some new toy models at the Fisher-Price® Play Space, receive a free gift (while sup-plies last,) meet their Planet Heroes™ characters, “Ace” and “Digger” and Little People® characters, “Sonya Lee” and “Eddie.” Storytelling, crafts, and an opportunity to see how the Bronx Zoo’s animals learn through play at our animal enrichment programs, which showcase how the zoo motivates the animals in their care both physically and mentally.
(Note: In case of inclement weather, all activities will be limited or cancelled.)
California sea lions belong to a group of marine mammals called pinnipeds. It includes seals, sea lions, and walruses. Just like land mammals, these animals have body hair and give birth to live young. Females also have mammary glands to nurse their young. One way to distinguish sea lions from seals is that sea lions have small, external ears. Also, while both seals and sea lions can leave the water to go on land, sea lions have large front flippers that allow them to climb rocks and maneuver more easily on land.
Adult males, called bulls, live with a harem of breeding-age females, called cows, with their off-spring. After a gestation of about a year, females give birth to one pup.
California sea lions are found on the California coast and offshore islands. They are generally found between 20 degrees and 40 degrees north latitude. These animals are excellent swimmers. They can dive to depths of about 330 feet and can stay underwater for almost 15 minutes.
Sea lions eat fish. At the Bronx Zoo, we feed our sea lions between 12 and 35 pounds of fish a day, depending on the size of the animal. Their diet includes herring, capelin, and mackerel. In general, males eat more than females and both eat more in the colder temperatures than in the summer. This seasonal change in their diet enables the animals to make more blubber or fat, which serves to insu-late them in colder weather.
For more information call (718) 367-1010.
