PITTSBURGH -- Keepers at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium are preparing for an unprecedented new arrival this summer.
During a routine exam, veterinarians discovered Zoey, one of two female sea lions, is pregnant with the zoo's first pup.
"A sea lion pup will be about 2, 2 1/2 feet long -- cute little buggers -- generally born in June," zoo President Dr. Barbara Baker said Tuesday.
We want to hear from you! Share our comments in the "Add your comment" box at the end of this story page. Keepers said they noticed increased breeding activity between the two females and the male sea lion, Hawk, but weren't sure if a pregnancy had resulted until ultrasound confirmed it.
Baker showed video of the sea lion's ultrasound at a news conference Tuesday morning. The pup's brain, heart and ribs could be seen in the video.
Raw Video: Sea Lion UltrasoundAccording to a news release from the zoo, mating season for sea lions is primarily in May and June and gestation is nine months, but they can experience something called "delayed implantation" of an additional two to three months.
Delayed implantation means the embryo remains in a state of dormancy before it begins to develop, allowing pups to be born when food is more plentiful.
"We anticipate here, though, since the sea lions are getting a lot food and doing quite well, that she will be delivered sometime in June, which would be the normal pupping season," Baker said.
Between 10 and 15 percent of pups die after birth, Baker said, so the zoo is being very careful with this first pregnancy experience.
"Once she has the pup and it's a viable pup and it seems to be moving around pretty good, then the first critical step is, will mom accept it and will she bond with the baby? And then we have to make sure, will she have adequate milk?" Baker said. "She's a first-time mom, this is the first time this has happened at the Pittsburgh Zoo, so we want to be sure that she has adequate milk and the puppy looks like it is continuing to thrive and do very well."
The next big step will be the first swim.
"The mom actually takes the baby into the pool to teach her pup to swim at two, three, four days of age," baker said. "She just kind of dunks it in the water, and they take off and she supports it with her own body and head."
Sea lions normally give birth to one pup, but on rare occasions, twins have been born.
Zoey's will be the first sea lion pup born at the zoo.
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