Rendering of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Family Sea Lion Landing at Sea Lion Sound Copyright Saint Louis Zoo
The Saint Louis Zoo’s newest exhibit, Sea Lion Sound, will be opening on June 30. The 1.5-acre, $18 million arena houses 11 California sea lions and one harbor seal. According to the zoo’s curator of mammals Steve Bircher, the new exhibit has been under construction for over 18 months.
“We are extremely excited about it,” he said. “We’ve combined two venues: the sea lion show with a new natural exhibit.”
While the zoo has had a sea lion basin since 1919, the new facilities will allow visitors closer contact and greater access to the animals. The natural exhibit, called the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Sea Lion Landing, is modeled after the Pacific Coast with varying depths, plants, and rocky structures. The outdoor pool also contains a shallow beach area for sunbathing, feeding and training.
In the pool’s deep end, zoo-goers will be able to access an unprecedented vantage point.
“The most spectacular feature, we all agree, is the tunnel,” said Bircher “You walk through with about three feet of water over your head, and you are surrounded by sea lions.”
The first of its kind in North America, the 35-foot-long acrylic tunnel will allow zoo visitors to see the sea lions from all angles.
On the other side of Sea Lion Sound is the Lichtenstein Sea Lion Arena, with an 811-seat amphitheater, the Ann Lux Family Stage, and a 39,000-gallon transparent pool. Here, audiences can watch the sea lions’ in action during the First Bank Sea Lion Show.
There are currently five animals slated to perform, although more may join the line-up as the summer progresses.
“I think sea lions are a lot like people,” said Bircher. “There’s a bell curve of intelligence. Some are really quick learners, and some are a little slower. The trainers try to identify certain behaviors. For example, we have one animal who’s very good at throwing a Frisbee, so we like to have him do that.”
Beginning June 30, shows will run daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. An additional 5:00 p.m. show will be held on Saturdays and Sundays. Show tickets are $4, with free admission for children under 2.
The zoo is now home to a total of 11 sea lions. Five were born at the Saint Louis Zoo, five more came from Sea World San Antonio last year, and one arrived from the Pittsburgh Zoo. Last week, four harbor seals left a zoo in London, Ontario en route to Saint Louis’ new facilities to join the eleven sea lions. Unfortunately, all but one seal died in transit.
“We’re very sorry that they won’t be a part of the show,” said Bircher. “On a good note, we have the fourth animal, Peanut, and we’re happy to have her.”
With the brand-new Sea Lion Sound set to open on Saturday, June 30, Bircher is eager for guests to experience these active and entertaining animals.
“I think people really want to make a connection to animals,” he said. “When they see the interaction between the sea lions and the trainers, people love that. It’s really an amazing thing.”
To find out more about the exhibit, check out this article from SLM's June issue
