New sea lion pup at Loro Parque named ‘Ozzy’ after public vote
Loro Parque has announced the winning name for its newest Californian sea lion pup: Ozzy. The name was chosen by the public in a two-phase online vote that gathered a total of 9,424 votes.
In the final round of voting, Ozzy won with a clear lead, securing 2,381 votes (60%), ahead of Simon (25%) and Bruce (15%).
Born recently at Loro Parque's Animal Embassy, Ozzy is a healthy 9-kilogram male and the son of Brisa, one of the park’s seven female California sea lions. The birth went smoothly under the watchful eyes of the veterinary and animal care team, who continue to monitor his development closely.
This new arrival marks the 26th sea lion pup born at Loro Parque since the first in 1987, reinforcing the park’s international reputation for successful marine mammal care and breeding.
Loro Parque Group President Wolfgang Kiessling praised Brisa as "an exemplary mother" and said the name Ozzy already holds a special place in the hearts of thousands of fans. "It’s exciting to see how one birth can spark so much joy," he added. "These kinds of initiatives highlight the power of emotion, education, and conservation in bringing people closer to wildlife."
For now, Ozzy will feed exclusively on his mother’s milk, which is vital for his growth and the development of his waterproof coat. From around six months of age, he’ll gradually begin eating fish.
Javier Almunia, Director of the Loro Parque Foundation, said, "Every new birth is a positive sign of our commitment to conservation and animal welfare. Ozzy’s arrival adds to our educational mission by helping people understand more about sea lions and the challenges they face in the wild."
While California sea lions are not currently endangered, they are threatened by issues such as overfishing, coastal habitat loss, and climate change. By serving as ambassadors for their species, sea lions like Ozzy play an important role in raising awareness about the need to protect our oceans and marine life.
Share:
