TACOMA, Wash. — A new California sea lion pup is making his debut behind the scenes at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, marking a rare birth in the zoo’s long history.
The zoo said it is celebrating the birth of a male pup born June 1, only the second California sea lion pup born in the zoo’s 121-year history.
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The pup is his parents Eloise and Boomer’s second offspring and has spent his first days nursing, growing, vocalizing, and exploring his behind-the-scenes habitat while bonding with his mother.
“This birth represents another important milestone for Eloise and Boomer,” Rocky Shores Curator Jen DeGroot said. “Eloise has settled into motherhood beautifully, and we’re already seeing a strong bond develop between her and the pup.”
For now, the pup will remain behind the scenes for the next few weeks as he continues to develop and gain confidence in the water.
The zoo said California sea lion pups do not begin swimming immediately after birth, and the pup is currently exploring water just a few inches deep under the watchful eye of his mother and the animal care team. Guests can expect to see him join the other sea lions and harbor seals in the public viewing pool later this summer.
The pup weighs about 26 pounds and will continue nursing for up to a year before gradually adding fish and squid to his diet.
“The first few weeks of life are an important time for growth and development,” Head Veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf said. “The pup recently received a neonatal exam and is being monitored closely by our veterinary and keeper teams. He is feisty and appears to be in good overall condition.”
The zoo said the Rocky Shores team is providing around-the-clock care and observation, including overnight monitoring through a 24/7 camera system.
“Our keepers have invested a tremendous amount of time preparing for this birth,” DeGroot said. “Watching the pup hit those early milestones and seeing Eloise thrive as a mom makes all of that effort worthwhile.”
The zoo said the birth followed a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), which works to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations of animals in accredited zoos and aquariums.
Eloise and Boomer arrived at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in 2019 with authorization from the National Marine Fisheries Service after being rescued as stranded pups along the California coast, according to the zoo. Eloise was found alone at La Jolla Cove Beach in 2018 and was determined to have been abandoned, later recovering through rehabilitation but deemed non-releasable. Boomer was rescued later that year from Imperial Beach after being found dehydrated and separated from his mother; after rehabilitation, he also required a permanent home.
Today, the zoo said the pair are thriving at Rocky Shores and are often seen swimming side-by-side. The new pup follows the birth of Pepper, the zoo’s first California sea lion pup, born in June 2024.
The zoo said additional updates on the pup will be shared through its website at pdza.org and its social media channels.