California sea lion

Björn is our newest sea lion! Rescued in southern California after being blinded by bullets, he now has a forever home at our Zoo. Keepers use special audio cues to help him, and he navigates by sound and smell. He’s around ten years old.

Matia was born in 2004 to a mother who was rescued while pregnant, and unable to care for her. Raised by humans, she couldn’t be released to the wild. She’s very smart, say our Rocky Shores staff, but has a short attention span for training. Yet she has lots of energy and loves to have fun!

Eloise arrived at the Zoo in July, 2019 along with Boomer – both were rescued and needed a home.

The smaller of the two, Eloise was spotted all alone in June, 2018 at La Jolla Cove Beach in California. After watching for 48 hours, the rescue team determined that she had been abandoned, and took her to be cared for a SeaWorld. Although dehydrated, she recovered well, suckling from a bottle and later eating fish.

She is now thriving, and is the bolder of the two, eagerly exploring the pools at Rocky Shores.

Boomer arrived at the Zoo in July, 2019 along with Eloise – both were rescued and needed a home.

Slightly larger, Boomer was rescued as a pup in July 2018 from the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge at Imperial Beach, California. Alone on the beach, he was handled and touched by humans, an action that can cause adult sea lions – who may in fact be returning – to abandon their pups.

When the rescue team arrived, he was dehydrated, lethargic and shivering. At SeaWorld the care team rehabilitated the pup, tube-feeding him until he was strong enough to eat fish.

Boomer is now thriving, and enjoys his fish, swimming side-by-side with Eloise in the pools at Rocky Shores.