The pinnipeds appear to have full access to the entire exhibit, but I doubt that they actually use the grass sections. Does anyone know? This enclosure, already very good, might well look much different by 2017 as the zoo is spending $14 million on a new sea lion/seal habitat.
Here is the view from the opposite side of the grassy section:
Sorry I realized this is an older question at this time, but this being a zoo I go to fairly regularly I can have some input.
I have never seen a seal that far up. I believe the only reason the island is still shaped like a large hill is just the remains of when the exhibit used to be the zoos old Monkey Island and is about the only way for the keepers to access the exhibit. Unless there are some underground tunnels I am unaware of. The seals are always down on the lower level rocks if they are not swimming.
Sorry I realized this is an older question at this time, but this being a zoo I go to fairly regularly I can have some input.
I have never seen a seal that far up. I believe the only reason the island is still shaped like a large hill is just the remains of when the exhibit used to be the zoos old Monkey Island and is about the only way for the keepers to access the exhibit. Unless there are some underground tunnels I am unaware of. The seals are always down on the lower level rocks if they are not swimming.
That is very interesting. I suppose that there is nothing actually stopping the seals from venturing onto the grass but perhaps the safety of being close to the water is the main reason for the animals to choose to lie on the bottom section of the land. Either way, the zoo is building a brand-new complex for its pinnipeds.
