In the United States we are familiar with the California Sea Lion, but Australia has its own species, the aptly named Australian Sea Lion. Unlike its North American cousin, this species is endangered so Australian zoos are doing their part to bring awareness to conservation efforts and help rebuild the population. The Adelaide Zoo welcomed a new Australian Sea Lion pup over Halloween. 

The yet to be named female pup was born to first time Mum, Ady. Both are doing very well but unfortunately Ady did not accept her baby, which was a possibility known to her keepers. Carnivore keeper, Arliah Hayward said, “This is not an uncommon occurrence for first time mothers who have been hand-raised, meaning the mother does not have the maternal instincts to raise a pup on her own. “It is always our goal to have mother and baby together, however in this circumstance it was best for the survival of the pup that keepers intervened,” said Ms. Hayward. The pup is now in the care of Adelaide Zoo’s Animal Health Clinic and keepers.

Photo credits: Zoos South Australia

The pup is now in the care of Adelaide Zoo’s Animal Health Clinic and keepers.

Animal Health Centre Manager Dianne Hakof said, “We are very excited with the birth of this pup, she is in good health and our only challenge now is to get her to feed freely from a bottle. 

“This birth is also significant for the captive population in Australia, with as few as 10,000 Australian Sea Lions remaining in the wild,” said Mrs. Hakof.

Sea Lions can be pregnant for up to 18 months and it was first confirmed Ady was pregnant in late June during a procedure in the Animal Health Centre when a baby skeleton was found on the x-rays.

Australian Sea Lions are a protected species, with major threats facing them from marine litter, entanglement in fishing nets and lost or abandoned fishing gear.

These sleek, marine animals are found only in Australian waters, from Western Australia through to Kangaroo Island in South Australia, with greatest numbers recorded at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island and Dangerous Reef off Port Lincoln, South Australia.

These sleek, marine animals are found only in Australian waters, from Western Australia through to Kangaroo Island in South Australia, with greatest numbers recorded at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island and Dangerous Reef off Port Lincoln, South Australia.

Mother, Ady (short for Adelaide) was born on 16/03/97 at Adelaide Zoo, shortly after which she joined the Sea Lion family at Sea World.

Father, Tasko was born on 29/05/03 at Pet Porpoise Pool, NSW.  Ady and Tasko arrived at Adelaide Zoo on 16th February 2009, previously they lived together at The Aquarium of Western Australia.