A baby sea lion at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, has captured attention with her graceful aquatic displays reminiscent of a rhythmic gymnast. At just 9 months old, Pepper, the young sea lion, has become a standout performer, twirling through the water with an artificial kelp strip. Her performances are described as artistic and captivating by Noelle Tremonti, a staff biologist at the aquarium.
Pepper’s delightful spins and underwater maneuvers were captured on video in Tacoma, approximately 34 miles south of Seattle. Her antics are part of a series of enrichment exercises designed to acquaint her with elements she would encounter in the wild, such as kelp. The felt strips provide a tactile experience, encouraging her to explore and engage with her environment using her mouth, explained Tremonti.
Crafted from durable felt material, the kelp strip is suitably sized for Pepper to manipulate and interact with. The video shows the young sea lion elegantly pulling the strip with a flipper, spinning around in pursuit of it, and eventually grasping it firmly with her mouth.
Remarkably, Pepper holds the distinction of being the first sea lion born at the zoo in its 120-year history. Weighing in at 74 pounds, she recently tried her first fish but finds greater joy in playing with it rather than consuming it.
Flipping and frolicking with the kelp strips remain Pepper’s favorite pastime. According to Tremonti, “She will dedicate a good portion of her day to finding different things to do with the kelp strips,” adding that observing her antics is “really fun to watch.”
