zoogiraffe

View of Californian Sealion exhibit

How old is this sea lion exhibit? I've always been impressed with photos of Whipsnade's enormous paddocks and natural-looking enclosures but this pinniped pool leaves a lot to be desired. There isn't a rocky coastline appearance but instead a regular-sized swimming pool that you'd likely find in the backyard of many California homes. In terms of indoor facilities, is there only the small pool that is shown in another recently uploaded photo? It is all rather bland and nondescript.
 
I'm only guessing, but this facility looks suspiciously like a 1970s dolphinarium modified (slightly) for pinnipeds. Can anyone confirm or deny?
 
I'm only guessing, but this facility looks suspiciously like a 1970s dolphinarium modified (slightly) for pinnipeds. Can anyone confirm or deny?
that is correct. There are a few photos on Zoochat from before the dolphins left, e.g.

 
I always find it strange that the Sealions nowadays are exhibited in these unnatural surroundings at Whipsnade- for reasons we know, whereas in the old days London had a really good sealion pool.
 
The last two dolphins left Whipsnade in 1988

London Zoo also experimented, unsuccessfully, with keeping porpoises back in the 1860s.
 

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