California Sea Lions Find New Home At Brookfield Zoo

BROOKFIELD, IL — Two young sea lions from California are now among the newest residents at Brookfield Zoo. Carolyn and Sabiena were both found stranded and unable to care for themselves after being weaned from their mothers, zoo staff said in an email to media.

According to the zoo, the sea lions arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on the evening of Sept. 18 thanks to the generosity of FedEx. Zoo staff named one of the sea lions Carolyn, after the FedEx agent who assisted in making the travel arrangements. FedEx staff named the second female Sabiena (pronounced Sa-bean-ah), in honor of a Chicago team member who is also the company’s No. 1 volunteer in the community.

“We are thrilled to be able to safely deliver Carolyn and Sabiena to their new home, and we are so proud the rescued animals are named after two of our outstanding team members,” said Jenny Robertson, vice president, Corporate Communications, FedEx. “This special shipment is part of our FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative where we use our global network to deliver precious cargo where it’s needed most.”

Carolyn and Sabiena are expected to make their debut to zoo guests in mid-October. Eventually, they may be introduced to Brookfield Zoo’s other pinnipeds that included four male California sea lions, ranging from 2 months to 18 years old; four female California sea lions ranging in age from 2 to 29 years old; a male gray seal; and two female gray seals.