July 2009
Trio of Sea Lion Pups Born at Longleat
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All three Sea Lion Pups Exploring |
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Keepers at Longleat Safari Park are delighted to announce the birth of not one but three sea lions pups in the last three weeks.
These youngsters, one male and two females, join a colony of seven adults which inhabit Half Mile Lake at Longleat.
Sea lion pups are generally born around May or June. This year their birth has coincided with a really hot spell but, despite this, they haven’t yet dipped their toes into the cool water of Half Mile Lake.
As Mark Tye, Head of Section explained “As their name suggests, the Californian Sea Lion is a marine mammal. Unlike seals however it has external ear flaps and uses its flippers to walk on land.
“Sea lion births can occur in the water or on land. In this instance, all three births occurred on Sea Lion Beach. The three mums stayed with their respective pups for a few days before they returned to the water for short periods to feed. During this time, the pups have been sheltering on the beach as they gather strength for the momentous
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Mum looking after one of the newly born Sea Lions |
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first swim”.
Sea lions carry their pups for 12-months. Although pups generally nurse for up to six months, they will learn to swim and hunt with their mothers from about two months.
Sea lions were first introduced into Half Mile Lake at Longleat in the late 1960s and are believed to be one of the few colonies of Californian sea lions living successfully in freshwater.
Sea lions are believed to be named for the loud roars that they can make. They can dive to 300m and can swim up to 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) in short bursts and have become real favourties at Longleat as they chase the Safari Boats waiting for a fishy treat!
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BBC
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