Exciting News from Sunshine Aquarium: Birth of a Baby California Sea Lion!

Sunshine Aquarium, located in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, has some delightful news to share! On June 15th, a baby California sea lion was born to popular parents Chap (male) and Paco (female). This marks the third occasion of a California sea lion giving birth at the aquarium, with the last foray into parenthood occurring a year ago.

Both the baby and mother Paco are in excellent health and are developing beautifully in a stable nurturing environment. Paco has been particularly attentive, rarely leaving the baby’s side. Even during mealtime, she promptly adjusts her position when the little one makes sounds, ensuring breast-feeding begins right away. Visitors can currently observe this endearing mother-and-baby duo in the Marine Garden’s “Sea Lions’ Sandy Beach” show tank, where the joyful interactions and heartwarming sight of the adorable baby can be seen.

In total, there are seven sea lions residing at Sunshine Aquarium, including the newborn. The Marine Garden features daily training sessions for the sea lions, which focuses on health management, allows visitors to appreciate the charm of these creatures, and showcases their lively display.

Note: To maintain an optimal environment for nurturing, there may be a necessary distance between guests and the tank, which could hinder visibility of the sea lions at times.

Meet Chap and Paco: Proud Parents of the Newborn

The baby sea lion was born at 7:01 AM on June 15, 2025, but its gender is currently unknown. At birth, it weighed approximately 8 kg.
Chap (Father): Born June 26, 2010, at Ueno Zoo, Chap is now 14 years old and has been at Sunshine Aquarium since September 2011. Moreover, he is known for his intelligence and gentle nature, weighing about 240 kg.
Paco (Mother): Paco is 16 years old and was born on June 1, 2009, in Spain. She has been at Sunshine Aquarium since January 2012. Known for her spirited and inquisitive nature, she has a weight of about 67 kg.

Insights from Chiiko Ogura, Sea Lion Care Staff

Chiiko Ogura, who is in charge of the sea lions at Sunshine Aquarium, expressed her joy, saying, “Even after the expected delivery date had passed, the wait was nerve-wracking. On the morning of June 15, I received the news from an early shift staff member that a birth was happening! As I rushed to check on them, I was incredibly relieved to see the baby moving around energetically and Paco tenderly nursing the little one. We will continue to fully support Paco in her nurturing role. We hope everyone will warmly watch over them!”

Reproductive Insights about California Sea Lions

California sea lions operate under a polygynous system. Males are often larger than females because they engage in fierce competition for limited land suitable for breeding, forming “harems” that consist of one male controlling a group of about ten females and young. The gestation period for sea lions is around a year, leading a female to give birth to one pup on land.

Lake configuration and nurturing skills are crucial as mothers will nurse their pups while foraging for about a year.

While the population of the California sea lions held at Sunshine Aquarium is relatively stable in the wild, acquiring new individuals from nature has become impracticable. Zoos and aquariums in the country are engaging in “breeding loans” to maintain animal populations and genetic diversity. Sunshine Aquarium actively participates in this effort; for instance, a female sea lion named “Karito” has been transported to Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, where a male capable of breeding is kept.

By continuously providing opportunities to see these wonderful animals, aquariums aim to foster interest in wildlife and awareness of their natural habitats.

For more information, please refer to the official release PDF.

Sunshine Aquarium Overview

Location: Sunshine City World Import Mart Building Rooftop, 3-1 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo.
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last entry 30 minutes before closing, varies seasonally and by day).
Entrance Fee: Adults (high school students and above) 2,600 JPY, children (elementary and junior high school students) 1,300 JPY, infants (ages 4 and up) 800 JPY (subject to change).
Contact: Sunshine Aquarium Tel: 03-3989-3466
For more details and booking information, please visit the Sunshine Aquarium website.

Note: Pre-booking (with specified date and time) is mandatory during weekends, holidays, and specific days.