Photos: A Couple Of Adorable California Sea-Lion Pups Were Just Born At Brookfield Zoo

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 20, 2017 10:20PM

Somebody call Hallmark.

Brookfield Zoo recently welcomed two impossibly adorable newcomers: a pair of California sea lion pups. Their arrival marks the first time in almost three decades that the zoo has seen a birth of this particular species.

Both as-yet-unnamed pups were born earlier this month. One, a female, was born on June 4 to a 7-year-old mother, Josephine; the other, a male, was delivered a week later to 9-year-old Arie. California sea lion pups are born in June and July. They weigh between 13 and 20 pounds at birth.

Both are still "behind the scenes" as they bond with their mothers and learn how to swim, away from the public glare. But they're expected to hit their outdoor habitat within a few weeks according to the zoo.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the birth of these two sea lion pups, which is a coordinated effort between us and our partner facilities,” said Rita Stacey, curator of marine mammals for the Chicago Zoological Society, in a release.

Both mothers of the pups were rescued. Josephine was abandoned by her mom at popular tourist waters in San Francisco, and Arie was rehabilitated after being found stranded on a beach, according to the zoo.