Award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park has welcomed a new male sea lion
Cisco, 8, travelled almost 800 miles from the south of France to his new home at Yorkshire Wildlife Park with transport specialists.
24 July 2026
He has joined Yorkshire Wildlife Park to become part of the breeding programme and will be gradually introduced to the resident sea lion colony over the coming weeks. The Park already has a sea lion family of 7 - Oakley, Hanno, Maui, Lara, Bailey, Coral and Stanley.
They live in Point Lobos, the expansive sea lion habitat that was purpose-built in 2021. Inspired by Point Lobos, Monterey Bay, this habitat celebrates one of California's most iconic sea lion colonies, where the dramatic Pacific coastline provides the perfect place for them to rest and breed.
Following his arrival, Cisco has been settling into his new surroundings behind the scenes and has been given access to a smaller pool where he has been able to see and smell the other sea lions.
Director of Animals, Dr Charlotte MacDonald, said: “We're delighted to welcome Cisco to the Park. He travelled really well and has settled in nicely since arriving.
"He’s been spending time getting used to his new surroundings, and he’s had access to the smaller pool, which is an important step as he continues to settle in.
"We'll take introductions to the other sea lions very slowly over the coming weeks. He has already met Bailey and her daughter Coral through the mesh, and then they swam together for a while in the pool. But we will take everything slowly as every animal is different, and we'll let Cisco do everything at his own pace.
"We’re looking forward to seeing him become part of the group when the time is right.
"His arrival is another positive step for the breeding programme, and we know he will make an important contribution in the future."
Sea lions are highly social animals, and introductions are carefully managed to allow them to become familiar with one another.
The Park's team will monitor Cisco closely as he settles into his new home.
Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of Cisco settling in over the coming weeks.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which puts conservation at the heart of all its activities, offers visitors a mesmerising walk-through experience, coming almost face to face with some of the world’s most beautiful at-risk species, including Polar Bears, Black Rhinos, Giraffes and African Painted Dogs.
Cisco is just one of the new arrivals this summer - the Park recently celebrated the birth of 4 cheetah cubs who can be seen in Cheetah Territory, a baby Titi Monkey in the South American walkthrough Amazonas and three Lar gibbons in the Malaysian Singing Forest.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Resort also boasts The Hex Hotel and The Yorkshire Hive – the shopping, dining and entertainment village.
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