Amidst heavy rainfall in New York City, a female Californian sea lion made an unexpected escape from her enclosure at Central Park Zoo, which became inundated due to torrential downpours on Friday.
This marine mammal displayed remarkable resilience, managing to swim out of the flooded pool and subsequently traversing the zoo's perimeter. Eventually, as the water levels subsided, the sea lion voluntarily returned to her enclosure. Jim Breheny, the executive vice president of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Zoos and Aquarium, shared this information in a press release, as reported by CNN.
It is worth noting that the enclosure, which experienced flooding, also housed two other sea lions, both of which temporarily joined the female sea lion in her excursion. Zoo personnel closely monitored the female sea lion's adventure as she left her pool, and they ensured her safe return. A video capturing this unexpected escapade was shared on Insider Paper's Twitter account.
As the floodwaters gradually receded, all of the animals were successfully returned to their respective designated enclosures, according to the press release. Notably, this incident did not pose any threat to the safety of staff or visitors, and the sea lion remained inside the zoo premises, never breaching the secondary perimeter of the facility.
In response to the heavy rainfall that resulted in extensive flooding across New York City, including in schools, subway stations, and basements, a state of emergency was declared. Consequently, the Wildlife Conservation Society decided to close down its four zoological facilities, which include the Central Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium. This proactive measure allowed the staff to prioritize the well-being of the animals and the maintenance of the facilities during inclement weather conditions, as articulated by Jim Breheny.
Furthermore, animal care experts remained vigilant throughout the duration of the weather event, ensuring that the animals were well-cared for and sheltered from any potential hazards arising from the rainfall.
California sea lions, similar to those housed at the Central Park Zoo, are indigenous to the West Coast. These marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. As a point of reference, adult female sea lions can weigh up to 240 pounds and reach lengths of up to six feet, as detailed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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