Congratulations to Calli, the 11-year-old sea lion who gave birth on Sunday to her second pup—the first one born at the National Zoo in 32 years. Animal care staff say the pup seems to be nursing, moving, and vocalizing well.
Zoo keepers are giving the mother and kid some time to bond, so they don’t know the pup’s sex just yet. They’re “cautiously optimistic that the pup will thrive and are allowing Calli to care for her pup without interference,” according to a statement from the zoo.
What about first-time dad Jetty, whose sperm was recommended to mingle with Calli’s egg by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan? Well, he’s last on the list to meet the pup, after other adult sea lions Summer and Sidney. The zoos says that’s just how it goes in the wild, where males are not around during pupping and breeding season. (SSP has already created a love triangle for the zoo’s orangutans, though a baby is on the way.)
Right now, Calli and her pup are off-exhibit until the mom signals she’s ready to introduce the pup to the rest of the colony. While you won’t be able to see those two, Sidney, Summer, and Jetty are still hanging out for visitors at the American Trail.
Rachel Kurzius