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"Put me in coach, I'm ready to play"

Sea Lion's kick off their Spring Training 03/16

By Cassie March 10, 2013

There are distinctive signs of spring to us here in STL. For most is it when our beloved Cardinals take the field in Jupiter Florida for spring training and the sweet smell of April's opening day quickly

 closing it. But did you know we have another beloved team that will be starting their spring training? First Bank Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo will begin early this year with “Spring Training” shows starting March 16, 2013.

 

The sea lions of summer — Roby, Rosie, Bennie, Dixi, Nikki, and newcomer, 2-year-old Mandy — are back and reporting to spring training at Sea Lion Sound. The trainers are working with the intelligent pinnipeds on hurdle and high jumps, flipper walks, balancing acts, high dives, Frisbee tosses and other acrobatic and athletic behaviors. The "Fish League" practices even include a few baseball-themed activities for the animal athletes — Cardinals-inspired, of course!

 

Spring Training shows are at 1 and 3 p.m. daily March 16-31. Timed tickets are $2 per person. Children under two are free.

 

Opening Day for this season’s show is April 6 with performances on Saturdays and Sundays only through May 26. Daily summer shows run Memorial Day through Labor Day, May 27 to Sept. 2. Show times are 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., with an additional show at 5 p.m. on May 25 and 26 and on weekends and holidays in summer. Timed tickets for these shows are $4 per person. Children under 2 are free.

 

Tickets may be purchased at the Sea Lion Show ticket booth. Zoo members may redeem their Anywhere passes for timed tickets at a Welcome Desk or at the Sea Lion Show ticket booth.

 

Sea Lion Sound

 

The Lichtenstein Sea Lion Arena includes an 811-seat amphitheater, the large Ann Lux Family Stage, a 40,000-gallon see-through pool, a rock bridge extending into the audience and a high diving platform and slide — all designed to show off the sea lions' natural abilities.

 

The new Sea Lion Sound habitat, which opened on June 30, 2012, is home to 11 California sea lions and a harbor seal. In addition to the show arena, the exhibit also includes the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Family Sea Lion Landing and features a spectacular 35-


 
foot-long underwater walk-through tunnel. Above water at Sea Lion Landing, public feedings take place at 11:15 a.m., 1:45 and 3:30 p.m. daily, beginning March 16. Admission to Sea Lion Sound is free.

Zoo Hours

 

The Zoo’s spring hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through May 23.

 

Beginning May 24 through September 2, 2013, the Zoo is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday for North Star Summer Zoo Weekends. 

 

The Zoo will be open until 7 p.m. on Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Zoo will close at 12 noon on Friday, June 21, because of ZOOFARI, the Zoo’s major biennial fundraiser.