Chester Zoo Where are the Sealions????

M

miss_piggy

Active Member
Went to Chester Zoo today and as we walked passed the sealion enclosure there was a sign on the glass saying exhibit empty. With another sign saying giant otters coming soon.

Does this mean that the zoo is no longer going to house the sealions?

Any info would be great.
 
It's just been made public today that the Giant Otters will have the sealion pool because all the female sealions have now gone and the male is/was also due to go elsewhere.
 
They're included in the Natural Vision plans but not in the first phase. I expect they'll be back at some point but not in the short-/medium-term.
 
Thansk for the info. I was looking forward to the giant otters coming to Chester but now I am quite disapointed with having to loose the sealions.

Was this a sudden change of plan becaused I thought Chester had only just recived two new female sealions.
 
Aside from a brief period of temporary accommodation for the first pair, the sea lion pool is the zoo's original (completed late 1940s) and has housed sea lions ever since. I think their presence will be greatly missed, there's nothing quite like the sound of a sea lion echoing out around the zoo.

Maguari is correct, new enclosures for sea lions and penguins are mentioned in Natural Vision, but I can't see that happening for a long time yet.

It'll be great to see the giant otters, but my enthusiasm is tempered somewhat by the absence of the sea lions.

Incidentally, it's "sea lion", not "sealion". Apologies, it's a pet peeve.
 
It's funny, it seems weird them not being at the zoo anymore.

I'm not a big zoo ABC person, with a couple of exceptions all my favourites are the obscure (not to people on here) animals that your average visitor can't identify but I wish they were staying.

I haven't been there for a long time but my earliest zoo memories are of hearing the sea lions as I arrived at the zoo entrance.
 
SMR said:
, the sea lion pool is the zoo's original (completed late 1940s) and has housed sea lions ever since. I think their presence will be greatly missed, there's nothing quite like the sound of a sea lion echoing out around the zoo.
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I agree wholeheartedly. London Zoo too has never seemed the same since the Sealions left and their evocative yelping isn't to be heard anymore.
Sealions are also among the most spectacular animals at any Zoo and I'm sure the public will miss them at Chester.

Does anyone know where Chester's recent sealions have gone/are going to?
 
Pertinax said:
I agree wholeheartedly. London Zoo too has never seemed the same since the Sealions left and their evocative yelping isn't to be heard anymore.
Sealions are also among the most spectacular animals at any Zoo and I'm sure the public will miss them at Chester.

Does anyone know where Chester's recent sealions have gone/are going to?
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Total speculation, but with Whipsnade losing Barclay whats the chances of new blood there?
 
While it is sad that the Sea Lions have left the collection,I would far rather see the Giant Otters as the zoo can look after them with out having to alter the pool to Salt water which is what they would have had to do if the sea lions had stayed!!!!
 
Pertinax said:
I agree wholeheartedly. London Zoo too has never seemed the same since the Sealions left
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There is actually no reason why London couldn't have them back. The old exhibit could be revamped but it's unlikely to happen. It a real shame that ZSL hasn't got any aquatic mammals at London - apart the pigmy hippos and otters - if they count ;)

At one time London had California sea lions, Grey seals and *baikal seals.

The film clip is from the 1948 film "Miranda" and shows the old sea lion pool as it was then.



*Baikal seals are wonderful animals and not that difficult to keep and they live in fresh water (coming from Lake Baikal the biggest fresh water lake in the world). Tywcross had some years ago as well.
 
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Quite funny when the girl swallows the fish!!:D

It brings back happy memories- I can remember the sealion pool from the 1950's onwards. It was quite natural with the little rocky islets and of course the 'cliff' and 'cave' backing onto the Aviary which they used for diving off at feeding time.

I believe they got rid of them because they didn't fit the 'Conservation' role of the Zoo in the '90's. A stupid decision in my opinion as the Pygmy Hippos hardly use this pool except to foul it- it is a sad, empty part of the Zoo now.
 
zoogiraffe said:
...with out having to alter the pool to Salt water which is what they would have had to do if the sea lions had stayed!!!!
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The sea lions lived happily in that pool for sixty (!) years, so why the sudden need for salt water? Is that a new directive from WAZA or some other association?
 
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SMR said:
The sea lions lived happily in that pool for sixty (!) years, so why the sudden need for salt water? Is that a new directive from WAZA or some other association?
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Under the Secretary of States: Standards of Modern Zoo Practice under the Zoo Licensing Act it states:

8.4.6 Marine species are adapted to salt water and the provision of a salt water environment is beneficial. Baikal seals are adapted to fresh water.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/zoos/documents/zoo-standards/app8.pdf

So it's not a legal requirement but recommended; zoo inspectors can put these conditions into a zoo licensing inspection report. Maybe they did at Chester.

In my experience sea lions and seals seem to have a much higher instance of eye problems in fresh water. Due in part to the osmotic in-balance across the eye which will inflame micro damage to the eye surface which can lead to secondary infections, etc.

However, one experienced marine mammal vet did comment to me that they may be better having access to both environments. When I was a Woburn the main pool was fresh water but the sea lion off show holding pool had salt added.
 
John Dineley said:
So it's not a legal requirement but recommended; zoo inspectors can put these conditions into a zoo licensing inspection report. Maybe they did at Chester.
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Apparently they did pick up on this at Edinburgh's inspection (according to press coverage).
 
SMR said:
It'll be great to see the giant otters, but my enthusiasm is tempered somewhat by the absence of the sea lions.
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I agree. I look forward to the Giant Otters but it is a pity they can't keep both species. For a start the Otters should really be in the South American area which is not where they will be. Secondly, although Giant Otters are very active they are Riverbank dwellers as much as swimmers so the Sealion pool may not have ideal proportions. Thirdly, will the pool be heated?- surely being a tropical species they need a warm environment?

I am sure Chester will be taking all this into account and I wish them well with them- I just wish they weren't replacing the Sea Lions (note spelling;) )
 
Pertinax said:
Thirdly, will the pool be heated?- surely being a tropical species they need a warm environment?
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I think there will need to be a heated house but I dont think it's required outside - Chestnut's Giant Otters live happily with their outdoor exhibit being an old Victorian ornamental pond with relatively little alteration. I think they're pretty hardy beasts. :)
 
In zoo standards for keeping otters in captivity, it states that: "P. brasiliensis need indoor dens and buildings to be kept at 20 – 21 degrees C all year. Outdoor pool water is heated to 15 – 25 degrees C during the winter [but] Chestnut Centre allows their giant otters access to unheated outside pond swim- water and exhibit all year. Their otters swim in the unheated pond water all winter, even for short periods during freezing temperatures." As such, although heated pools are advised, as long as they have one inside, they do not seem to be a necessity.
 
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