California Sea Lion Pup Born at Columbus Zoo

California Sea Lion Pup Born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: June 19, 2021 12:20 pm

The California sea lion pup born on June 17th 2021 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is cared for by mother Lovell in a behind the scenes area

Photo Credit: Grahm S. Jones/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have welcomed a California sea lion pup on June 17th 2021. Experienced mother Lovell gave birth to her second pup in a behind the scenes area at the zoo’s adventure cove region.

Lovell who will turn 6 in July is very attentive to her nursing pup. At present the gender of the rather active pup is yet to be determined. Currently the pair is bonding behind the scenes.

The California sea lion pup born on June 17th 2021 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is cared for by mother Lovell in a behind the scenes area

Photo Credit: Grahm S. Jones/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The father of the pup is yet to be determined as the sea lion group includes multiple males who live with the females year round. Animal care staff will eventually determine the father through a blood test.

On May 17th 2020 the zoo welcomed their group of nine sea lions (six males and three females) who live alongside four harbor seals (one male, three females).

These pinnipeds call the Adventure Cove region, opened in 2020 home. This state of the art area recreates a Pacific Northwest-inspired rocky coast and harbor setting for the sea lions and seals.

— AD —

This is the third California sea lion pup born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium since the group arrived. It is the second pup for Lovell who also gave birth in 2020 to a female pup known as Sunshine. The second known as Norval, was born to mother Baby.

Lovell and her pup will spend their time bonding behind the scenes where keepers can ensure that the pup is meeting its growth milestones. Once these are met mom and pup will move out in to the main habitat.

The California sea lion pup born on June 17th 2021 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is cared for by mother Lovell in a behind the scenes area

Photo Credit: Grahm S. Jones/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

While California sea lions are not currently listed as threatened a rising number of pup stranding’s is becoming a cause for concern. Climate change causes mothers to move further out to sea to feed and many do not return to care for their pups.

Columbus Zoo provide financial support to the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of The Marine Mammal Center (MMC) in Sausalito, Calif., and the Zoo’s Animal Health staff have trained with the MMC to nurse stranded and injured marine mammals back to health while expanding their knowledge of sea lions and seals.