12/30/13

Look who's borrowing the kiddie pool!

Usually the kiddie pools in our Northern fur seal exhibit are used for enrichment with the younger seals and pups, like this ice adventure with Leu:



But yesterday, Isaac decided to borrow one!


Looks like it's not quite deep enough for him to practice his speed swimming. This seems to be a first for Isaac. Occasionally Cordova the adult female fur seal would hop in there, but she's a much easier fit!

More about Isaac:



12/26/13

Seals in a Bubbly Wonderland

Instead of snow, there’s something else falling from the sky - - Bubbles!

Zoe, a California sea lion, and Kitovi (Kit), one of our young Northern Fur seals, are enjoying a Bubbly Wonderland!



You can see that Zoe prefers to catch the bubbles in her mouth and Kit who is just a few weeks old in this video just gazes at the bubbles falling from the sky.

Zoe and Sierra

Kitovi
Bubbles are just one of the many ways that we engage our seals and sea lions in enrichment.Check out some of the many ways we interact with our seals and sea lions through play from rain drops, jello, light reflections, ice toys . . . . the list is endless!

Be safe and have happy holidays everyone!!
-Marie

12/21/13

Problem Solving Shenanigans with the Sea Lions

You may remember some of the shenanigans the California sea lions, Zoe and Sierra, got into last summer…see what mischief they are up to this time!



It is amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. Watch what Zoe and Sierra do when they decide they want to fit a long pole through a doorway...

Whew, well done! Time for a nap.

Zoe and Sierra napping in the sun

-Marie

12/16/13

Keeping things clean and comfy

So you want to be a marine mammal trainer? Indeed, it's an amazing privilege to interact with these clever, powerful and, yes, adorable animals. But it's not always seal smooches and high-fives. It takes a lot of work to keep the animals healthy, comfortable and clean.

And that job falls on the marine mammal trainers and volunteers!

Kim vacuums the bottom of the exhibit

Just like dog owners have to pick up after their dogs when they go the bathroom, the marine mammal trainers spend a lot of time cleaning up after the animals. That means balancing on rocks in the middle of the exhibit vacuuming the pool on a snowy day in Boston, like Kim here. The trainers also hose off the deck where the animals rest frequently. You might even see the trainers scuba dive with scrub brushes—even in the middle of winter!


But a healthy and clean exhibit makes for healthy and happy animals—so it's all worth it. The next time you visit to watch the frisky young fur seals racing through the water, take note of the trainer or volunteer quietly going about their business with a hose or vacuum. The trainers work hard maintaining the exhibit for the enjoyment of the animals and visitors alike!

Resting fur seals enjoying their clean and comfy exhibit