We are incredibly excited to announce the arrival of an entirely new species here at Colchester Zoological Society – California Sea lions!
After months of planning and preparation, we are delighted to welcome Sofia and her four-year-old daughter Cali, who have joined us from Welsh Mountain Zoo and are now settling into their new home at CZS.
Their arrival marks an exciting new chapter as we introduce a brand-new species to our animal collection, and we are thrilled to be able to share this special moment with our visitors.
Meet Sofia and Cali
At 16 years old Sofia was born in Rotterdam Zoo and has resided at Welsh Mountain Zoo since 2012. Her daughter Cali, aged four was born at Welsh Mountain Zoo and the mother and daughter duo have now made the move to Colchester together.
Sofia and Cali have begun settling into their new surroundings and the Animal Care Team are excited to watch as their personalities develop over the coming weeks.
California Sea Lions are fascinating marine mammals, known for their intelligence, agility and inquisitive nature. According to the IUCN Red List, California Sea Lions are currently classified as Least Concern, with populations increasing. Their arrival gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about a new species and see them for themselves at Sealion Shores here at CZS.
“We are so excited to have Sea Lions back at the zoo and to welcome Sofia and Cali to their new home. We are really looking forward to getting to know their individual personalities, building relationships with them, and discovering all the little things that make each of them unique. There is also a great anticipation around getting them back into training and creating new experiences with them. It will be a real pleasure to be a part of their journey and to share in all the memories they will make along the way.” – Kirsty Lawman, Team Leader of Sea Lion Section.
A new home for a new species!
Welcoming Sofia and Cali has also given us the opportunity to transform their new home. The habitat had been empty following the passing of our much-loved Patagonian Sea lions in March. Since then, our in-house staff have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to revamp the area and make the relevant adaptions to accommodate our California Sea lions.
Come and meet our newest residents
With Sofia and Cali settling into their new home, visitors can once again enjoy seeing Sea lions in a much-loved area of the zoo. From watching them glide through the water to views from the underwater tunnel, there are plenty of opportunities to observe these fascinating animals as they explore their surroundings.
Why not come and see them for yourself?
Make sure to keep an eye on our social media channels and website for all the latest news and updates!
