This habitat includes a straight underwater viewing tunnel measuring up to 24 metres long. The acrylic tunnel allows visitors to view our sea lions from underneath the water.
Along with outside viewing, the development included a huge filtration system, filtering 500,000 gallons of water every two hours. About 136 tonnes of reinforced steel and 1,025 cubic metres of concrete were used in the project.
Playa Patagonia is one of the largest construction projects undertaken by Colchester Zoological Society. The pool is filled with saltwater and does not use chlorine, which reduces the risk of health problems such as skin irritation and eye ulcers.
In the year
2013
this habitat opened
In the year
1963
our first sea lion arrived
Underwater tunnel is
24m
in length
The main pool is
4m
in depth
Animals in Playa Patagonia
Patagonian Sea Lion
Otaria byronia
From: South America
Status: Least Concern
Quick Fact: Unlike seals, sea lions use both their fore and hind limbs for ‘walking’ or moving on land, mainly using their front flippers for swimming. Their use of both flippers gives them greater manoeuvrability on land than seals.
Find me in: Playa Patagonia
Mammals
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