Meet our new sea lion pup, Astro!

Houston, your voice has been heard and after two weeks of voting, the winning name for our new sea lion pup is... Astro!

We couldn't be more excited about this new little guy and we know you will be too. He has joined the family in the sea lion pool with Deano, Cali, and Kamia.

Be sure to come meet Astro before he grows up and isn't a pup anymore. There's nothing quite like a young sea lion.

Here's some facts about Astro:

• Astro is 11 months old and was found stranded three times; twice in Southern California and a third time in Northern California. After the third stranding it was apparent that he was imprinted on humans and was deemed non-releasable. During the second stranding he was found under a car in a parking lot begging for food and the third time he was found on someone's front porch! He was rescued the third time by The Marine Mammal Center in Marin county.
  
  
• When he was deemed non-releasable, he was transferred to the Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz where he participated in cognitive studies. He passed all the cognitive tests with flying colors. Basically, for us, that just means he is healthy and brilliant. Perfect to be Deano's new side kick!
  
  
• He traveled to Houston in a Vari-kennel with Houston Zoo staff like a pet would in the hold of the plane. He was very comfortable in his crate and seemed to take the drive from Santa Cruz to the San Francisco airport and flight to Houston in stride with no ill effects. He jumped right into his quarantine pool and ate all the fish that was offered.
  

• You may notice a scar on the side of his neck. This is from an entanglement wound caused by marine debris wrapping around his neck. The wound is completely healed and Astro exhibits no long term effects from this wound. We expect the appearance to lessen as he grows.

  Marine debris is a big problem for marine animals.  Most of it is old fishing gear or plastic that has been dumped illegally or accidentally into waterways and oceans.

  Please do your part to help marine animals by recycling the plastic you use and never leaving trash in natural areas.
  

Welcome to the Houston Zoo Astro!