The Story of Getting a Sea Lion Pup
Scientists of the State Natural Biosphere Reserve Komandorsky noticed a stranded pup while monitoring Steller Sea Lions population in the northern part of the Bering Island. He was thin and feeble and after observing the endangered animal for two weeks they have decided to rescue him by sending to the Primorsky Aquarium.
Thin and long-necked pup weighed 42 kilograms and resembled a dinosaur; because of his look he has got his name — Din. He was scared and aggressive when he arrived to the Marine Mammal Adaptation Base of the aquarium. Only love and constant care could make a difference and they did. Now he is calm, joyful and is in good condition. Also, he weighs 150 kilograms.
Din is still young and loves playing with cubes, balls and even fish, after he eats it enough. He is also getting along with Fur Seals that live in the base and has very warm relations with one of them named Cheburashka, she is even allowed to ride Din sitting on his back.
Din has a unique gift of imitating human speech. He always answers ‘khorosho’ (good) to «How are you?» from Larisa, his trainer. He knows world ‘plokho’ (bad) as well, but it doesn’t seem he likes it much. He surely has an accent, but you can understand when he says: ‘dai rubu’, ‘kal’mar’, ’jara’, ‘spasibo’ (give a fish, squid, hot, thank you). Sometimes he is telling Larisa something for quite a long time, but we can only guess what is he saying as we have not learned Sea Lion’s language completely yet.
