At Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, excitement has doubled with the recent birth of a second Californian sea lion pup. Belle, aged 11, and Memphis, aged six, proudly welcomed their unnamed male pup earlier this month on Sea Lion Beach. This birth continues a long tradition at Longleat, where sea lions have been born since the species first arrived at the park in 1968.
Visitors to Longleat can now observe the new arrival on Half Mile Pond, joining his half-brother born just days earlier. Lauren Bow, lead keeper, expressed her enthusiasm: “It’s very exciting having two new pups here at Half Mile Pond. This is Belle’s second pup after having Baxter last year. Seeing her become a mum is particularly special to me.” Reflecting on Belle’s journey, Lauren added, “Belle was the first pup to be born when I first started at Longleat, so seeing her go on to have her own pups is a special moment.”
With the addition of these two pups, the sea lion population at Longleat now totals eight. As of now, neither of the new arrivals has been given a name.