Sea Lion Escapes from Flooded Enclosure at Central Park Zoo, New York

Madika – An unexpected incident occurred at the Central Park Zoo in New York when a female sea lion successfully escaped from her flooded enclosure due to heavy rainfall.

Although the sea lion managed to swim out of the flooded pool, zookeepers remained calm and closely monitored the sea lion’s adventure.

Jim Breheny, the Executive Vice President of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Aquarium, explained, “No staff or visitors were in danger, and the sea lion remained within the zoo premises, never breaching the zoo’s secondary boundaries.”

The water level in the sea lion pool eventually receded, and all the animals in the zoo returned to their designated areas.

Breheny also revealed that the zoo had closed four other facilities, including zoos and aquariums, due to the severe weather that triggered an emergency situation in New York.

The California sea lion, like the one housed at Central Park Zoo, is a native of the West Coast and is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Adult female sea lions can weigh up to 240 pounds and measure up to 6 feet in length, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Despite the tense moment, the safety of both the sea lion and zoo visitors was ensured.

Author: Editorial Staff