Sea Lion at Bremerhaven Zoo Transitioned to Outdoor Exhibit
The Zoo by the Sea has welcomed a new addition to its sea lion family, as Lío, a male pup, was introduced to the outdoor enclosure on September 12th. Lío was born at the Zoo by the Sea on July 26th, and since then, his mother, Zoe, has been providing him with round-the-clock care.
After birth, Lío and Zoe were moved from the outdoor area to a backstage area for Lío to learn essential skills such as climbing stairs and swimming. Initially, Lío needed help from the keepers to get out of the water, but he has since grown stronger and more independent.
Zoe, who is known for her attentive parenting, has been even more diligent in teaching Lío about the world. The rest of the sea lion group was temporarily moved to a stable on September 12th to allow Lío and Zoe to explore the enclosure together.
Lío's father, Samson, was born at Tierpark Hellabrunn in Munich in 2018. Samson's genes have been passed down to Lío, who is growing strong and healthy under Zoe's care.
As Lío grows, he will be weaned from his mother's milk, which is expected to happen around a year from now. After weaning, Lío will be sent to another zoo to start his own harem, as male sea lions typically maintain a harem once they reach maturity, which occurs around 3 to 5 years old.
Visitors and keepers can enjoy more moments with Lío before he leaves the Zoo by the Sea. Lío's new name, Lío, is Spanish for 'mess' or 'chaos', but there's nothing chaotic about this adorable sea lion pup.
Zoe, who was born at the Zoo by the Sea in 2008, has been a great mother to Lío, and the sea lion group will be gradually reunited after Lío's introduction. For more specific details about Lío's timeline for weaning and transfer, we recommend contacting the zoo directly. More animals are now being gradually introduced to the sea lion enclosure, and it's an exciting time for the Zoo by the Sea.
Living in his newly expanded home-and-garden enclosure, Lío, the sea lion pup, is learning about his lifestyle and the world around him under his mother Zoe's watchful eye. As he grows stronger and independent, Lío is preparing for his future, which includes weaning from his mother's milk and establishing his own harem at another zoo.
