Keepers Swim with Patagonian Sealions at Colchester Zoo

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The sealion keepers at Colchester Zoo have bonded so strongly with two of their resident Patagonian sealions that they can now swim and play with them as if they were members of the sealion group.

Previously it has been common for people to swim with the Californian sealion species but this is almost certainly the first time that this has ever been attempted in the UK with Patagonian sealions, due to their wilder nature.

It started with the keepers swimming with the sealions to clean the 24m long underwater tunnel through their enclosure and has slowly developed to a stage where keepers can now confidently swim and play with the two friendliest sealions, Winnipeg and Sydney.

Kate Broad, Head Sealion Keeper said "We had to ensure that the welfare of the animals was the top priority so we started this process very slowly but there is no doubt that this interaction has enriched the lives of our sealions both physically and mentally."

Patagonian sea lions are agile swimmers and the males can reach weights of up to 2.5 metres in length and 340kg in weight. They have been persecuted in the past by the fur trade and are still affected by pollution and entrapment in fishing nets.

To see Winnipeg and Sydney in action visit the Sealion Beach Party! The party will be happening on July 23rd and August 20th, as part of the Late Night Summer Openings timetable at Colchester Zoo.




EssexTouristGuide.com 8th June 2011

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