Image Credit: zooborns.com
Zoo Heidelberg in Germany has gained two new Southern Sea Lion pups and they are so adorable!
The two pups, Arielle and Carlos, were born in July after two stillborn births. Arielle’s mom is named Maike and Carlo’s mom is Leah. Both sea lions have the same dad, Atos.
The pups spent their first weeks on land and began to follow their moms into the water after the first time they shed their fur. Arielle and Carlos are having so much fun in their day-to-day water adventures and are learning valuable sea lion skills that will help them survive in the wild.
As Arielle and Carlos grow, they will be able to stay underwater for a long time.
Southern Sea Lions are at the lowest risk category on the IUCN’s Red List. They live in the southern Pacific coast of South America and in the Atlantic coast up to southern Brazil. Zoo Heidelberg works with the Society for the Protection of Aquatic Mammals in South America in a project to keep Southern Sea Lions safe in their own habitat.
While Southern Sea Lions are not at a higher threat of risk like most species on the Red List, they should still be protected due to environmental threats. Habitats like these are vital to keeping our sea lions in South America healthy and safe.