Sea lions in Europe

MennoPebesma

MennoPebesma

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
A thread about the three species of sea lions in Europe:

California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) (83 holders according to ZTL)
South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) (51 holders according to ZTL)
Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) (12 holders according to ZTL)

The purpose of this thread is for anyone to share news about sea lions in Europe, such as births, deaths and moves. If you know more about sea lions in a particular zoo, you are welcome to share that information here as well.

This thread is not necessarily intended for population lists, as that would be an almost impossible task given the number of holders. However, if there is interest, I have an almost complete list of Steller sea lions and am working on a list for South American sea lions.
 
Welsh Mountain zoo announced the deaths of 2 of their sealions in the last 12 months.

Breeding bull Casper died in August 2024 & Spray died in July 2025
 
A 21-year-old South American sea lion male named Saylor has arrived at Zoo di Napoli. He was confiscated after being found in a truck at a circus, where he had no opportunity to swim. The owner, a circus owner, has been charged with animal abuse. If he is convicted, Saylor will remain at the zoo, unless there are opportunities for further placement in Italian or European zoos where the species is already kept.

Source: Facebook Lo Zoo di Napoli
 
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Dublin Zoo's 2024 annual report revealed that their three male Californian sea lions were to be sent to a collection in China, but the stock list seems to show that the trio have died in the Dublin.
 
cornu aspersum said:
Dublin Zoo's 2024 annual report revealed that their three male Californian sea lions were to be sent to a collection in China, but the stock list seems to show that the trio have died in the Dublin.
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They are indeed listed as deceased, but elsewhere in the report I read that they did move to China after all.
 
MennoPebesma said:
They are indeed listed as deceased, but elsewhere in the report I read that they did move to China after all.
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If they did move to China, and presumably die there, surely they should've just been listed as 'departed'? Unless they died during the journey there, maybe?
 
cornu aspersum said:
If they did move to China, and presumably die there, surely they should've just been listed as 'departed'? Unless they died during the journey there, maybe?
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This is what the report says:

'In October, after a delayed departure, the transport of the Zoo’s three young male California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) to Hainan Ocean Paradise in China took place. The animals were accompanied by Team Leader Eddie O’Brien and vet Emma Flynn; they arrived safely and settled in without problems.'
 
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