In Tacoma, Washington, an aquarium has become the center of attention due to the acrobatic skills of a young sea lion named Pepper. This nine-month-old marine mammal, still dependent on her mother’s milk, has captivated audiences with her dazzling performances involving an artificial kelp strip. Noelle Tremonti, a biologist at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, highlighted Pepper’s impressive talents, noting her emergence as the aquarium’s most agile sea lion.
Tremonti playfully likened Pepper’s underwater display to the art of ribbon dancing, describing it as wonderfully artistic and visually stunning. Watching Pepper engage so intently with her environment brings joy to the aquarium’s staff, according to Tremonti. These performances, which took place last month in Tacoma, about 34 miles south of Seattle, are part of Pepper’s enrichment activities designed to mimic her natural surroundings.
The artificial kelp strips, crafted from durable felt material, serve as training tools to help Pepper learn to interact with kelp as she would in the wild. Tremonti explained that the strips are the ideal size for Pepper to handle, allowing her to practice using her mouth as she navigates her space. A video of Pepper shows her using her flipper to pull the strip while deftly creating elegant circles, eventually seizing the strip with her mouth.
Pepper holds a special place in the aquarium’s history as the first sea lion birth in its 120 years of operation. Weighing in at 74 pounds now, she has recently started trying out fish, although the young sea lion remains more interested in playing with her food than eating it.
Pepper’s curious and playful nature shines through in her favorite pastime: swirling and flipping around with the kelp strips. Tremonti shared that Pepper spends a considerable part of her day exploring various ways to enjoy these strips, providing endless entertainment for all who watch.
