Photo Credit: Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration
By Danielle Cookish
This year, an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) has taken place off the coast of California, affecting thousands of sea lions.
On Friday, June 26, two California sea lions, a male and a female, found their forever home at Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration located in Mystic, Connecticut.
Although multiple attempts were made to release the sea lions back to their natural habitat, they were unsuccessful. The two sea lions were then deemed non-releasable by NOAA Fisheries.
The scale of this UME has been unprecedented and to maintain a who’s who, all rescued animals have received ID numbers.
However, since these two will remain in human care, Mystic has reached out to the public to help give them names and make them feel right at home.
To enter your name ideas, click here!*
Entries will be accepted until Sunday, July 19.
Mystic’s animal care staff and panel of judges will select five finalist names for each pup from the entries received.
Between July 20-26, head back to the site and vote for your favorites.
The winning names will be announced on Monday, July 27.
Finalists will even receive a prize package!
Head to Mystic Aquarium’s website and share your best name ideas for these new animal ambassadors!
*Entrants must be 13 years or older to participate.