Ady the Aus​​​​​​​tralian Sea Lion Turns 25 at Adelaide Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: March 16, 2022 8:33 pm

Ady the Australian sea lion celebrates her birthday at Adelaide Zoo

Photo Credit: Zoos SA

Keepers at Adelaide Zoo have thrown a birthday party for their Australian sea lion, Ady as she turned 25 today.

Ady and her partner Tasko were treated to Blue Swimmer Crab, octopus, gigantic ice cubes and a new toy to mark her 25^th birthday.

Ady the Australian the sea lion is seen with her keeper Arliah Hayward at Adelaide Zoo

Photo Credit: Zoos SA

Arliah Hayward, Senior Keeper of Carnivores at Adelaide Zoo said: “It’s a massive milestone for Ady, which is short for Adelaide.

“It’s estimated sea lions live for 20 to 25 years but at 25 Ady is not showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, she is often seen chasing her male companion Tasko who is six years younger!

“Ady is a big personality. She is very headstrong and smart. She loves training and picks up new behaviours easily. She most definitely loves her food and will eat any time of the day, whereas Tasko doesn’t get his appetite until later in the day.

“She has been known to get hold of my gumboots and once threw them at Tasko. Another time, she wanted to keep me in the exhibit and put her flipper around my leg. She wanted me to stay and hang out – she was so gentle. She can be crafty though, when we train new keepers she makes them work a bit harder and refuses her fish just to keep them on their toes.

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“Australian Sea Lions, found specifically in South and West Australia, are listed as endangered by the IUCN, with an estimated 10,000 remaining. You can help by visiting Adelaide Zoo and learning more about them but also make sure to support Sea Lion conservation parks such as the one in Kangaroo Island.

This species has been threatened by entanglement in fishing gear and persecution by fishers who may attack them.

 “Every time you go to the beach or out on boats please tie down your rubbish. A gust of wind can send rubbish into the sea and waterways and this can harm Australian Sea Lions and other animals too,” finished Arliah.

Learn more about Australian Sea Lions here - Australian Sea Lion Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Adelaide Zoo on their website – Adelaide Zoo

Ady the Australian the sea lion in her enclosure at Adelaide Zoo

Photo Credit: Zoos SA