Seals & Sea Lions

Seals and sea lions are mainstays of Oregon's marine mammal community. Sea lions can often be heard barking in Newport's Yaquina Bay, and harbor seals regularly play in the waters off the jetty.

Six sea lions and five harbor seals currently live at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Five of the sea lions and one of the harbor seals were captive-born; one sea lion and four harbor seals were rescued and rehabilitated after beach strandings, but were not considered releasable.

The animals range from 12-28 years old. All but one, a sea lion, are females. No breeding will take place among this population, since there is a surplus of seals and sea lions at zoos and aquariums around the country.

Visitors at this exhibit are often charmed to find that the animals are eager to interact with them through the underwater viewing windows. Games of "follow-my-hand" are common sights there, especially when children are present.

The main pool holds 90,000 gallons of sea water, and the rocky pool is 15 feet deep at its deepest point. It includes haul-out beaches and rocky islands where the animals can leave the water for areas either accessible or inaccessible to the viewing public. Deep canyons and a cave give the animals challenging swimming spaces. Multiple vantage points offer the public both above-water and below-water views.