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Welcome to Kanuk and Kodiak! These two pups, estimated to be 1-year old, were rescued by stranding centers after being found stranded and malnourished off the coast of California this spring. Each of the pups stranded repeatedly prompting the National Marine Fisheries Service to deem them non-releasable. They join more then 3,500 California sea lion pups this year who have been rescued off the coast of California. Scientists believe this unusual mortality event is due to warmer water temperatures driving fish populations away and causing sea lion mothers to leave their pups in search of food.

After several unsuccessful attempts to release Kanuk and Kodiak, Oceans of Fun along with the Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL were asked to assist by providing care and permanent homes for the pups. When animals from the wild arrive to zoos and aquariums, they undergo a quarantine period to ensure they are healthy and will not transmit disease to other animals. The decision was made to keep the pups together through transport and quarantine to ensure their comfort and success. Oceans of Fun and the Brookfield Zoo have shared a long term partnership committed to the welfare, breeding and conservation of pinnipeds for years. In late July both marine mammal teams worked together to safely transport Kanuk and Kodiak from California to the Brookfield Zoo. Today we are thrilled to be able to introduce Kanuk and Kodiak to all of you as the veterinary teams have announced that they have cleared quarantine, are strong and healthy.

Kanuk will join the Oceans of Fun family soon. We expect to welcome him to the Milwaukee County Zoo this winter while Kodiak will make his home at the Brookfield Zoo. Both lucky little pups are ambassadors who will now educate the public on marine mammal conservation and plight of our oceans.

Oceans of Fun is committed to conservation status of pinnipeds in the wild.  Earlier this year Oceans of Fun was called upon to assist the rescue centers as the number of stranded pups set record highs.  Due to our knowledge and expertise with sea lion pups, Oceans of Fun team members traveled to the coast in assistance with rescue and care.  Additional support was raised through fundraising efforts in Milwaukee providing monetary support for medical needs, fish and animal care.  In 2013 Oceans of Fun stepped in to rescue and hand rear Nalu, then a three month old sea lion pup who was found without his mother.  Still requiring 24 hour care, Nalu was unable to survive in the wild. Today, Nalu is a healthy 2 year old and an ambassador to his species in the wild, just as Kanuk and Kodiak will become. We are proud to educate Milwaukee County Zoo patrons on ways to live environmentally friendly lives to improve these animals’ habitats and ensure survival.

To receive up to date information on Kanuk and Kodiak, be sure to follow us on Facebook! Guests can see Kanuk and Kodiak on exhibit with Brookfield’s other sea lions, harbor seals, and gray seals at their Pinniped Point exhibit. You and your families can help sea lion pups like Kanuk and Kodiak by donating and supporting stranding centers as well as making environmentally responsible decisions. 

Photo Credit:Jim Schulz/Chicago Zoological Society

Photo Caption: Kanuk (front) and Kodiak with Mairim Martinez, a marine mammal specialist at Brookfield Zoo’s Pinniped Point habitat.