Introducing the Saint Louis Zoo’s new Sea Lion Sound Exhibit

By Jeffrey P. Bonner, CEO, St. Louis Zoo

The Saint Louis Zoo’s new Sea Lion Sound brings visitors nose-to-nose with swimming sea lions through an exhibit opening to the public on Saturday, June 30. Sea Lion Sound features a transparent tunnel – the first in North America – and a landscape inspired by the rugged Pacific Northwest Coast. 

Located in the center of the Zoo, the 1.5-acre, $18 million habitat and arena for 11 California sea lions and four harbor seals includes two state-of-the-art marine mammal exhibits.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Family Sea Lion Landing features a spectacular 35-foot-long underwater viewing tunnel, where visitors can see animals swimming around them.

This spacious, year-round outdoor pool and habitat features varying depths of water and rocky outcroppings. At one end of the pool is a shallow beach; at the other end of the pool, visitors can find an expansive window to watch the sea lions underwater.

The Lichtenstein Sea Lion Arena, home to the First Bank Sea Lion Show, features an 811-seat amphitheater, the large Ann Lux Family Stage, a 39,000-gallon see-through pool, a rock bridge extending into the audience and a high diving platform and slide – all designed to show off the sea lions’ natural abilities.

“At Sea Lion Sound, visitors will be able to interact directly with these magnificent marine mammals and learn from that contact.  We believe this experience will build a new understanding of these highly adaptable, social creatures and the need for their conservation,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Bonner, Dana Brown President and CEO of the Zoo.