Friday, October 21, 2017 Steller Sea Lion and the Raven

Alaska Sealife Center
Seward, Alaska

Whether cold, rainy, windy, sunny, or no matter what the weather, it’s always a good time to visit the Alaska Sealife Center. Yesterday, a friend and I took one such break from the chilly temperatures and blustery wind.

Aku the baby walrus was gone, having flown by cargo jet the previous day to Sea World Orlando in Florida. He had arrived safely, and that was all the staff knew. His outdoor pool looked very empty without him clowning around with his yellow hardhat, buoys, and black raft.

Staff announced a training for the Steller sea lions. We hustled over to their habitat in time to see two sea lions following the trainer and fish pail to their behind-the-scenes hangout. The trainer re-emerged with a replenished pail of dead fish, flung them into the water and onto the rocks, then retreated.  Suddenly, Pilot, the massive, 8 year-old male Steller sea lion, burst onto the scene with a roar. He headed directly to the pile of fish on the rocks and started chowing down.

A CROW and a RAVEN invited themselves to dinner, perching attentively nearby, bibs tucked under their chins. The Crow dashed in, grabbed a chunk and flew off, but the more wary Raven waited.

The sea lion started tossing fish high in the air, expertly catching and swallowing one after the other. It was quite a show! Raven meanwhile, walked across the rocks just out of reach, each eyeballing the other. While the sea lion was busy reaching for yet another flung fish, the Raven made his move and dashed in and out. The sea lion lunged after him, but too late; another fish chunk was missing and the clever Raven chuckled. I think they’ve danced this tango before.  

When that pile was gone, Pilot dove into the pool with a magnificent splash that sent small seiche waves rocketing across the pool. He dove to the bottom then surfaced, violently shook the larger fish into bits with gusto, and  swallowed the smaller ones whole. Down and up, snorting and splashing with evident enjoyment until every fish was eaten.

We thought the show was over and wandered off to check the seabird habitat and other exhibits. When we arrived downstairs, Pilot was suspended upside down, intently watching a young lady seated cross-legged on the floor in front of him, arms outstretched. He arced around almost in a circle, following her hands, curling around, then shot up for air, and dashed back again. What a graceful, fluid giant! When tired with that, he disappeared out of the water. Was the show over? No! The best was yet to come!

After checking out the octopus, I glanced over to see Pilot playing with a new toy. An enrichment object? Yes, but certainly not one provided by staff. It was a rock or flat chunk of concrete just the right size, weight, and shape to balance on his nose, carry to the surface, slide down his side, chase as it descended in a fluttery flight, tuck under a flipper, flip from one flipper to the other like a magician, hold in his mouth, and generally have a grand time. What a performance! A small crowd gathered to exclaim, take photos and videos, and marvel at his agility, playfulness, and creativity.

After about 40 minutes of this entertaining performance, I heard a staff person behind us radio to the mammal department, “Someone take away that rock before he writes his name on the glass!” Sure enough, wherever Pilot pressed the rock against the glass there were definite scratches. Suddenly Pilot abandoned his beloved toy and shot to the surface where, I assume, he followed a shiny pail full of fish out of the habitat. End of game!

Happy ASLC!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter































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