Dublin Zoo’s newest attraction, Sea Lion Cove, has been opened by President Michael D Higgins.
The new sea lion habitat is home to the zoo’s colony of California sea lions: the three females, Cassie, Florence and Seanna, and the only male, Nico.
It is hoped that the colony will grow to seven or eight sea lions over the coming years.
California sea lions are usually found off the west coast of North America and Mexico.
The construction of Sea Lion Cove began last September and was the biggest development undertaken by Dublin Zoo in recent years.
The new saltwater habitat was built on the site of a former lake and features a state of the art water filtration plant. Visitors to the zoo will now be able to see the sea lions swimming underwater in the deep saltwater pool.
"Every detail of this wonderful saltwater habitat has been considered carefully with the needs of the sea lions in mind and always inspired by their natural habitat,” said Director of Dublin Zoo Leo Oosterweghel.
"This new home should encourage them to continue breeding and to encourage their natural behaviours, giving visitors an amazing insight into sea lion behaviour," he added.
Dublin Zoo attracts over one million visitors a year.
