TACOMA, Wash. — A sea lion pup was born earlier this month for the first time in the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's history.
The zoo said in a release a female California sea lion pup was born June 6. She became the first sea lion born in the zoo's 119-year history.
The zoo said sea lion pups don't swim right away, so the pup is exploring water just 1-2 inches deep at this time. The pup will gradually work on swimming in more water and bonding with mom, Eloise.
“Eloise is a natural at parenting, and we’ve seen the pair bonding a lot already,” said curator Jen DeGroot. “Eloise is protective of the pup and encourages her to nurse. Soon she will begin to give her some ‘swimming lessons’ in shallow water.”
The zoo expects the pup to join other sea lions and seals in the public viewing pool later this summer.
"The first few weeks are critical for a pup,” said Karen Wolf, head veterinarian. “She received a neonatal exam and is completing a course of antibiotics due to a mild respiratory tract infection. The pup has been responding well to treatment.”
Later this month zoo guests will be able to vote on their favorite names for the new pup.
The pup's parents, Eloise and Boomer, arrived at Point Defiance Zoo in July 2019. Both were rescued.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan recommended the pair should breed to "ensure a genetically diverse, demographically varied, and biologically sound population of sea lions into the future."