News Release
 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
October 18, 2019
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Orphaned California Sea Lions Make Public Debut at Brookfield Zoo
 
Brookfield, Ill. – Carolyn and Sabiena (pronounced Sa-bean-ah), two approximately 2-year-old female California sea lions, made their public debut today at Brookfield Zoo. The young pinnipeds arrived at the zoo on September 18 from California, thanks to the generosity of FedEx that provided their transportation.

Several days after they arrived at Brookfield Zoo, Sabiena and Carolyn were given complete health exams. They have spent the last few weeks behind the scenes getting acclimated to their new home as well as the marine mammal care specialists.

Both animals were malnourished when found stranded along the west coast in 2018. Sabiena, who was rescued at Westward Beach in Malibu, had puncture wounds and fishhooks in her body and one of her eyes, which led to a ruptured cornea. Carolyn, who was found near Dana Point Harbor, had lacerations on one of her flippers and chest and cataracts in her right eye as well as 30 to 40 stones in her stomach. Due to their visual impairments, National Marine Fisheries Service officials determined Sabiena and Carolyn would not be able to survive on their own, and asked Brookfield Zoo to give them a forever home.

The two sea lions were named after FedEx employees—Carolyn for the agent who assisted in making the travel arrangements for the animals and Sabiena for a Chicago team member who is also the company’s No. 1 volunteer in the community.

The zoo presented FedEx staff with animal adoptions for the two sea lions. Those also interested in helping the zoo care for Sabiena and Carolyn can contribute to the Animal Adoption program. For $35, the recipient will receive the Basic Package, which includes a 5-inch x 7-inch color photograph and fact sheet about the species, a personalized adoption certificate, an Animal Adoption car decal, and an invitation to the annual Animal Adoption Evening. For further information, visit CZS.org/AnimalAdoption.
 
About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and also is accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.
 

Photo Captions (credit Kelly Tone/Chicago Zoological Society

5172: Sabiena and Carolyn, two California sea lions, made their public debut at Brookfield Zoo. The approximately 2-year-old females were malnourished when found stranded along the west coast in 2018. Due to their visual impairments, National Marine Fisheries Service officials determined the animals would not be able to survive on their own, and asked Brookfield Zoo to give them a forever home.

5162: Sabiena, California sea lion at Brookfield Zoo.