The welfare of sea lions: our day-to-day efforts

The desire to be as close as possible to the animals and to adapt to their needs lies at the heart of the daily care provided to the sea lions at Nausicaá by a team that has developed internationally recognised expertise over the past 30 years.

Vary the activities to keep the sea lions engaged

Vary your activities to avoid falling into a rut. What applies to humans applies just as much to the sea lions at Nausicaá.

In the sea lion group, the days may follow one another, but no two are the same!

In fact, the Sea Lions’ keepers regularly change the schedules and sequences of the activities. Even the order in which the sea lions are called out can vary. The number of interactions with the animals changes daily, and the activities from previous days are taken into account to ensure that every day is different.

The aim is to surprise the animal. These variations stimulate the animal, prompting new reactions and thereby preventing stereotypical behaviour.

Daily training sessions

Training sessions contribute to the physical and mental well-being of the sea lions.

During public demonstrations, the keepers explain to visitors what the sea lions’ medical training involves, their daily dynamic exercises, and the mental stimulation they receive through shape and letter recognition exercises.

Medical training

At Nausicaá, the keepers carry out daily medical training with the sea lions.

This training involves teaching animals to behave voluntarily so that routine medical procedures (such as ultrasound scans, blood tests and X-rays) can be carried out without stress, coercion or anaesthesia.

L’enrichissement, au cœur de l’épanouissement des lions de mer

The keepers also practise what is known as environmental enrichment.

The team places floating or sinking objects in the pool and sets up activities designed to stimulate the animals, thereby preventing boredom and stereotypical behaviour.

Regular veterinary check-ups – for the animal’s optimal health!

The sea lions at Nausicaá are regularly monitored by a vet specialising in marine mammals and by an osteopathic vet.

And for sea lions, good health starts with what they eat! A comprehensive nutritional monitoring programme has been put in place to check the calorie content and quality of the fish on the sea lions’ menu. This careful monitoring ensures that their diet meets the animals’ nutritional needs.

In addition to routine veterinary care, good water quality and the provision of shaded and resting areas also contribute to the health and well-being of sea lions.