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Animal health has always been our highest priority. Oceans of Fun partners with an internationally renowned marine mammal veterinarian and the veterinary staff at the Milwaukee County Zoo to provide exceptional care for our animals. This week, our population enjoyed a visit from their veterinarians for their regularly scheduled physicals. Thanks to dedicating time to practice husbandry, or medical, behaviors with our seals and sea lions, all our physicals were completed 100% voluntarily. We are also happy to announce all our flippered friends received a clean bill of health!

During physicals, animals are asked to present their eyes, ears, mouths, and flippers to the veterinarian. This allows for a thorough visual to help determine overall health. Our seals and sea lions are trained to provide a variety of different samples, all voluntarily! We are able to get blood, respiratory, and fecal samples, to name a few. These samples are thoroughly tested so we can have accurate readings on their internal health. 

Many animals, including seals and sea lions, are more easily preyed upon when they appear sick. As a defensive mechanism, animals hide early stages of symptoms when they are sick. By collecting and studying these samples, we are able to accurately determine an animal’s health. It is of upmost importance that these samples be voluntary. Samples collected in a voluntary and stress free environment are more accurate markers of our animals’ health. 

During his visit, the veterinarian was able to check on our expectant mother, Geneva. Geneva has been practicing ultrasounds with her trainers every day. She was able to hold herself in position beautifully so that the veterinary team could check in on her pregnancy. We were able to view a heart beat and a very large fetus. We are expecting a birth any day now!

Husbandry training sessions are performed daily with all of the seals and sea lions at Oceans of Fun. Recognizing the importance of animal health, we want to ensure all of our animals are able to receive medical care, if necessary, in a restraint free and voluntary environment. Some examples of behaviors that our animals practice regularly are laying out for x-rays, daily teeth brushing, receiving eye drops, and stepping onto a scale to obtain weights. These behaviors are practiced in a variety of settings to ensure each animal’s comfort. You may even see them practiced during our daily seal and sea lion presentations!

As leaders in the marine mammal community, we are constantly striving to improve our husbandry program. We welcome your donations that in turn go directly to the husbandry training of the seals and sea lions at Oceans of Fun. Make your donation here.