Another one joins the raft

Keepers are excited to announce the arrival of a second Californian Sea Lion pup.

Belle, 11, and Memphis, six, welcomed a male pup on 14 June on Sea Lion Beach, where generations of sea lions have been born at Longleat since the species first arrived at the Park in 1968.

The new arrival can be seen during the Jungle Cruise on Half Mile Pond, alongside his half-brother who was born just a few days earlier. Neither of the new arrivals have been named yet.

Lead keeper, Lauren Bow, said “It’s very exciting having two new pups here at Half Mile Pond. This is Belle’s second pup after having Baxter last year. Seeing her become a mum is particularly special to me. Belle was the first pup to be born when I first started at Longleat, so seeing her go on to have her own pups is a special moment.”

The two babies bring the raft of sea lions living here to eight.