New York, N.Y. – The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park zoo has visitors awing over its newest animal addition: an adorable new California sea lion pup.

“Bruiser,” as he’s named, was born in WCS’s Bronx Zoo last year. After a brief stay at WCS’s New York Aquarium, he’s finally made his home in Central Park and is quickly getting adjusted to his new urban home. On exhibit with fellow sea lions April and Scooter, Bruiser is one baby who likes to stay active.  He spends most of his time exploring the zoo’s centerpiece sea lion exhibit, which a representation of the species’ natural habitat on the West Coast.

Bruiser is cute and weighs in at a mere 90 lbs., but he’s packing on two to three pounds a week. Adult male sea lions can weigh as much as 900 lbs., so this little guy has a lot of growing up to do.

WCS’s animal keepers say Bruiser is doing very well in his new home.  He’s an active, healthy pup, and has even started to take part in basic sea lion enrichment and training. Keepers train the sea lions to do specific behaviors in order to give them a basic exam to ensure they are healthy and in tip-top shape.

Visitors are invited to see Bruiser, April and Scooter during their enrichment sessions every day at 11:30 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. But be warned: Those in the front might get splashed.

Contact:           
Barbara Russo: 212-439-6527, brusso@wcs.org


The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo - Open every day of the year.  Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $5 for children 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10am to 5pm weekdays, and 10am – 5:30pm weekends, April through October, and 10am – 4:30pm daily, November through April. Tickets are sold until one half-hour before closing. The zoo is located at Fifth Avenue and 64th Street. For further information, please call 212-439-6500 or visit www.centralparkzoo.com

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

Special Note to the Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a web link where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, please direct them to: www.wcs.org/donation.