Two newborn sea lion pups are getting ready to debut and meet visitors at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s Owen Sea Lion Pavilion.
Zoo officials say the first pup was born on Wednesday, May 25 to six-year-old Gemini. While the second pup was born on Sunday, June 5 to seven-year-old Coco.
The pups and their mothers are currently on display with their father, 12-year-old Chino, at the Owen Sea Lion Pavilion.
Officials say the mothers begin teaching their pups how to swim as early as a few days old by pulling them into the water for a short period of time for several days, each time getting farther and deeper into the water.
Now, the two pups need some names and the public is invited to help name them.
The zoo says the name submissions will be accepted at the Owen Sea Lion Pavilion starting Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. through Friday, June 17. The winning entries will be announced online on Friday, June 24.
Both male and female names are encouraged.
According to zoo officials, California sea lions are commonly found along the coastlines of the Pacific Northwest region. Males can weigh between 700 to 1,000 pounds while females can weigh between 200 to 250 pounds.
