TACOMA, Wash. — The first sea lion pup born at a Tacoma zoo needs an official name, and it is asking the public for help.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZ) announced earlier this month that its first sea lion pup was born on June 6. The female pup is the first in 119 years at the zoo.
Four names are on the ballot for the sea lion pup: Rosa, Marnie, Nori and Pepper. PDZ says Rosa comes from the Santa Rosa sea lions in the channel islands off the coast of California, Marnie means "of the sea," Nori is a type of seaweed and Pepper comes from keepers who say the sea lion was "feisty" at her first two health checks even though she was battling a respiratory infection.
Since her birth, the sea lion pup has been acclimating to its environment and has been getting swimming lessons in a shallow pool.
“Eloise has been giving her pup ‘swimming lessons’ in shallow water,” Curator Jen DeGroot said in a release. “She is a fast learner and will join the other sea lions and seals in the public viewing pool later this summer.”
The pup weighs 23 pounds as of Wednesday, up from 17 a week ago. It is bonding with its mom behind the scenes along with the care from keepers.
The naming contest ends at 11 p.m. on July 7, and people can cast a vote for their favorite name here.
