New York City has a new attraction: A baby California sea lion.
The silky black pup is the first sea lion ever born at the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn.
The Wildlife Conservation Society announced Friday that the sea lion was born June 30. She weighed 15 pounds. She may grow to be 250 pounds.
The society said the sea lion went on public view for the first time at the aquarium's Sea Cliffs exhibit on Friday. She can be seen playing with her mother, Clarice. Her dad, Kiani, resides at the Bronx Zoo.
“This is the first sea lion ever born at our aquarium, and we are very excited,” said Jon Dohlin, director of the New York Aquarium. “She is very sweet, and we are sure she will become an instant Coney Island celebrity and a favorite among our guests.”
The society said a name for the pup will be auctioned off at its annual benefit event in September.
California sea lions are abundant along coastal areas of western United States.
