Just days old and already a little water baby: A South American sea lion pup was born on July 23 at Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna. The newborn is currently being cared for alongside its mother in a special mother-and-pup area of the seal enclosure, following the zoo’s tried-and-tested practice. The zoo is deliberately giving the pair time and quiet before introducing them to the rest of the lively group of four sea lions.
South American sea lions, also known as Otaria flavescens, are native to the coasts of South America. Newborns weigh between 11 and 15 kilograms and are natural swimmers from birth. “Our new arrival took its first swim on its third day of life. In the beginning, the mother was very alert and tried to keep it in the shallow part of the pool,” explained curator Rupert Kainradl, MSc.
The experienced mother is caring attentively for her pup, whose sex has not yet been determined. In the early days, the baby slept a lot during the day, but it’s now becoming increasingly active—waddling around the enclosure and even swimming independently through the pool.
Sea lion pups are typically nursed for about eight to ten months. The baby makes its needs known with loud cries when it’s hungry and wants to nurse. “In a few months, it will slowly begin to show interest in its mother’s food. It’ll start playing with fish and take its first bites more by chance than on purpose,” said the zoo’s new section manager Niklas Hörper.
In their native habitats—Chile, Peru, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands—South American sea lions are protected. Once heavily depleted, their populations are now gradually recovering. (Schöbrunn Zoo)
