Shedd Aquarium is home to five sea lions, three of which are rescues. Cruz was a pup when he was found and Laguna and Shedd’s other sea lions have all had unique journeys to the aquarium. Laguna was rescued from a beach in California after being separated from her mother, while Cruz was found stranded on a beach in Washington.
The Abbott Oceanarium at Shedd is where visitors can see these amazing animals up close. California sea lions Laguna and Cruz are known for their speed and agility as they zoom around the pool. The newest addition to the colony is Charger, who weighs 230 pounds, and his three-month-old pup Kenney.
In addition to providing a home for rescued sea lions, Shedd also offers virtual encounters with them so people can learn more about these fascinating animals from the comfort of their own homes. During these sessions, animal care team members will share interesting facts about sea lion behavior and anatomy, as well as stories about some of the individual animals living at Shedd Aquarium.
Shedd Aquarium’s commitment to animal care has helped many sea lions over the years, including Biff who arrived weighing 800 pounds – 200 pounds heavier than a healthy adult male should be. With proper nutrition and care, Biff eventually returned to good health before passing away peacefully earlier this year.
Visiting or virtually encountering Shedd’s sea lions is an amazing experience that allows us to appreciate these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat while learning more about them at the same time.
