Meet Sea Lion Pup Sequoia

Sequoia The cute new California sea lion pup in the Zoo’s Oceans of Fun pool could win a “beautiful baby” contest (see photo slide show below). Born April 8, 2010, the female pup, called Sequoia, was slated to make appearances in the show by July in the MillerCoors Oceans of Fun’s Seal/Sea Lion shows at the Milwaukee County Zoo. How did she get trained so quickly? Right from the start the trainers played with the pup and responded positively to everything she did, says Oceans of Fun owner Shelley Ballmann. It’s a technique called “passive socialization.” “This experience will determine the kind of animal she will become for the rest of her life,” Ballmann says.

Sea lions can’t swim when they’re born; so trainers even taught Sequoia water basics in a baby pool. In the wild, sea lion moms teach pups to swim in shallow water near sandy shores. Oceans of Fun has a large pool with a steep drop-off. Sequoia’s mom, Makaia, wouldn’t know how to teach swimming in deep water, says Ballmann. The pup must learn to pull herself out of the pool independently. First, Ballmann starts the pup in a kiddie pool, and then they graduate to the deep pool. In early June, the pup was getting comfortable in the water but still needed trainers to “spot her” in case she needed some help. (The pup may be ready for the big pool by July, says Ballmann.) Meanwhile, Makaia is teaching the pup all the other sea lion basics, including vocal calls.

When Sequoia is older, trainers will switch to a technique called active socialization using positive reinforcement. This means humans use treats to reward good behavior. Animals are never punished—only rewarded. Sequoia will stay at Oceans of Fun for life, says Ballmann; so you can watch this charming pup grow and thrive for years to come.

Check out even more photos and updates on Oceans of Fun’s Facebook page. These photos were taken in mid-April 2010.

Photos by Zoological Society of Milwaukee/Richard Brodzeller
Text by Julia Kolker