10 OCTOBER 2017 City Employees Club of Los Angeles • Alive! City Employees Club of Los Angeles • Alive! OCTOBER 2017 11 Critical Illness & Cancer Coverage 11

Zoo

Photos by Tad Motoyama and Jamie Pham, Zoo A Sea Lion in the House Zoo provides home for the California sea lions are found from Vancouver Island, B.C. to the southern tip of nearly 700-pound creature. Baja California in Mexico. They are known for their intelligence, playfulness and noisy bark- ing. Their color ranges from chocolate brown in fter nearly eight years, a California sea lion males to a lighter, golden brown in females. Frightfully Ais back at the Los Angeles Zoo’s Sea Life Males can reach 850 pounds and up Cliffs. Zoo guests are now greeted with the to seven feet in length. Females boisterous barking of a nearly 700-pound, Buddy at the L.A. Zoo. grow to around 220 pounds and Great male California sea lion named Buddy, a up to six feet in length. California vocalization so loud it can be heard echoing locally where MMCC LA visitors sea lions are very social animals, and throughout the park. The blind adult male, and volunteers can still visit groups often rest closely packed together on Deals estimated to be around 10 years old, arrived him often.” land or float together on the ocean’s surface. at the L.A. Zoo May 24 after being rescued Over the past three months, Buddy has When diving deep in the wild, California sea and rehabilitated by the Marine Mammal Care quickly settled into his new home at Sea Life lions can slow their heart rates to allow them Center Los Angeles (MMCC LA). Cliffs, bonding with the L.A. Zoo animal care to remain underwater for nearly ten minutes On Halloween “Buddy has definitely brought a new sense staff and getting to know his new neighbors, before surfacing to breathe. This ability gives of excitement to Sea Life Cliffs,” said Jennifer a Pacific harbor seal named Ziggy and two them an edge in the pursuit of the fish, squid events are at the Kuypers, Sr. Animal Keeper. “Being from the Atlantic harbor seals named Mysty and Alfred. and shellfish that make up their primary diet. wild, he came to us without any trained It’s common in zoos for sea lions and har- The L.A. Zoo plans to bring in additional Club store! behaviors, and as we work with him we’re bor seals to be housed in the same habitat California sea lions to add to the group in the learning about him as an individual. Buddy is a because they share the same environment near future. In the meantime, Buddy, along confident, smart sea lion who is adapting well in the wild. But, unlike harbor seals, sea lions with Ziggy, Mysty and Alfred can be seen – Go to the Club to his new environment.” tend to be more active and vocal. Buddy swimming together at Sea Life Cliffs daily. Buddy was found loitering in populated is faster, more mobile, and communicates Webstore for details: areas in Manhattan Beach malnourished, ema- through a series of vocalizations including Zoo admission is $20 for general cityemployeesclub. ciated and blind. Due to his blindness, he was barks, growls and grunts, which can mean admission (ages 13 to 61); $17 for unable to hunt, forage and defend himself. He a variety of different meanings ranging from seniors (ages 62+), and $15 for com was rescued July 15, 2016 and brought to the excitement to aggression. children (ages 2 to 12). No ticket MMCC LA, where their veterinary and hus- The addition of Buddy to Sea Life Cliffs is required for children under two. bandry staff was able to get him to feed and allows Zoo guests the unique opportunity to Admission for Greater Los Angeles gain weight again. He remained at the MMCC learn more about this massive pinniped that is Zoo Association members is free. LA for almost 10 months until it was time to native to their own backyard, the beaches of find him a permanent home. Southern California. This is the second animal The Los Angeles Zoo is in Griffith “This California sea lion was deemed non- the Zoo has welcomed to Sea Life Cliffs in the Park at the junction of the Ventura releasable due to his injuries and blindness,” last year that was rescued off the coast of (134) and Golden State (5) free- said Jeff Cozad, Executive Director of the Marine a Southern California beach town. Ziggy, an ways. 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, Mammal Care Center Los Angeles (MMCC LA). 18-month old female Pacific harbor seal made CA 90027. Free parking is available. “That’s when the Los Angeles Zoo stepped in. her home at the L.A. Zoo on November 1, They felt our patient would enhance their Sea 2016 after being rescued and rehabilitated by For additional information, Life Cliffs exhibit and found him to be a perfect the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) in call (323) 644-4200 or visit fit. We couldn’t be happier that he was placed Laguna Beach. www.lazoo.org