Meet the playful sea lion!
Adelaide Zoo’s female sea lion Ady (short for Adelaide), was born at Adelaide Zoo on 16 March 1997. She spent a few years living interstate at Sea World before moving back to Adelaide Zoo in February 2009.
Ady is very intelligent, confident and has a playful, cheeky nature. She loves interacting with keepers during daily training sessions. Her favourite treat is squid!
Adelaide Zoo is saddened to share that male Australian Sea Lion, 20-year-old Tasko has passed away. Tasko was much-loved and will be greatly missed. For her best welfare, Ady will be spending increased time with her keepers and will undergo an augmented schedule of enrichment and training. There may be times when Ady is in her back of house area for these purposes. Thank you for your understanding.
These sleek, marine animals are the rarest sea lion species in the world. Found only in southern Australia, specifically along the South Australian and Western Australian coast lines, it’s estimated there are 13,000 animals remaining. They face three major threats; predation by Great White Sharks, conflict with fisheries and marine debris.
The Australian Sea Lion is currently protected by numerous Australian conservation agencies and laws. Fisheries are monitored for their impacts on the species and recent conservation initiatives have focused on education within the industry aimed at reducing by-catch.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service on Kangaroo Island in South Australia is working to protect the Australian Sea Lion by restricting visitors to boardwalks along the cliff tops where they can still view these playful marine animals without disturbing breeding sites.
Love sea lions? Join the colony and ensure sea lions stay a splash ahead of extinction! There are many ways you can help support these inquisitive creatures.
