Join our sea lions by becoming a ocean conservation ambassador 

Our California sea lions are conservation ambassadors reminding us of our connections to oceans.  Did you know that most of the oxygen we need to breath comes from tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton?  Today are oceans are threatened by all kinds of human impacts including climate change.  Oceans are warming and shifts in temperature, acidification, deoxygenation and more can lead to loss of marine habitats and species.  If that is not alarming enough plastic pollution and resulting tiny pieces of plastic called microplastics are both killing ocean animals and contaminating our foods.  Scientists estimate that we consume from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year.  How does that make you feel knowing that you may be consuming plastics at dinner tonight? 

So how can we get off single use plastics?   Here at the Zoo Service Systems Associates (SSA) has joined other zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) by eliminating single-use plastic straws and shopping bags, and instead, offering reusable, more sustainable options. Having plastic on-site also poses problems at the Zoo, with the potential of plastic straws and bags blowing into animal habitats, threatening the animals’ safety.

But what else can we do?   As often as possible I avoid products that are packaged with single use plastics and in some cases I have stopped buying fast food at establishments that use all kinds of plastic.  Unfortunately, volunteer efforts like mine to reduce buying products with single use plastic are having only a minor impact.   We really need laws banning single use plastics like a law passed in Veracruz, Mexico several years ago. Lawmakers in Veracruz unanimously approved legislation banning the use of plastic bags and straws by businesses.   Today people living and visiting the coastal city are told to bring their own tote bags and ask for drinks without straws.  Earlier this year Mexico City also announced a broad ban on single-use containers, forks, straws and other ubiquitous items in Mexico’s capital, one of the world’s largest cities.   If laws like this can be passed in Mexico why not here in the US and other parts of the world?

Sunny the California Sea Lion helped the El Paso Zoo for over a decade tell the story of ocean conservation at Sea Lion training demonstrations. He was inducted into the El Paso Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame in 2019. The memorial plaque is located in the Asia breezeway, in front of the carousel. Let’s remember Sunny by becoming conservation ambassadors for our oceans today. When you visit the Zoo check our program schedule for new training demonstrations at the Sea Lion exhibit featuring LB and Delilah.

Rick LoBello, Education Curator

Cover and bottom photo – Microplastics were collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Marine Debris Program in 2011 via a manta trawl in four tributaries feeding into the Chesapeake Bay. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)  Wikimedia Creative Commons.