Wonder What a Sea Lion Sounds Like? We Asked a Zookeeper

Although sea lions aren’t endangered, they still face many threats: plastic pollution, difficulty finding enough food, and toxic blooms of algae due to fertilizer run-off. The good news is, there are many ways to help sea lions and keep our beaches and oceans clean! Here’s what you can do:

• Skip single-use plastics, like grocery bags, straws and utensils. Each year, up to 12 million metric tons of plastic pollution end up in the ocean. Plastic does not decompose. Instead, it is reduced to smaller pieces which have been found in the bellies of marine animals. It's not just the microplastics themselves that are a problem—they can also leech toxins into sea lion habitat.
• Shop sustainable. In the wild, sea lions often can’t find enough to eat. Due to the lack of fish available, females need to travel further out to hunt for themselves. The longer they are gone, the more at risk they are of becoming separated from their pups. At the Zoo, we strive to source the fish our sea lions eat from sustainable sources. By visiting seafoodwatch.org or downloading the Seafood Watch App, you can also make responsible choices when purchasing your seafood!
• If you see a sea lion in the wild, keep your distance. Sea lions are territorial and can be stressed out by humans approaching. If you see a sea lion that appears to be abandoned or in distress, contact a local rescue center that has the resources and trained staff to assess the situation.

What's the difference between sea lions and seals? Find out the answer to this and more here. Planning a visit to the Zoo? Catch American Trail's daily animal demos at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.