Pair of sea lions arrive at Vancouver Aquarium from Marineland

Newly welcomed California sea lions Holly and Maui are seen in this image handed out by the Vancouver Aquarium.

A pair of California sea lions have arrived at their new home in the Vancouver Aquarium after being transferred from the now-closed Marineland amusement park in Ontario.

The two 18-year-old females, named Holly and Maui, are now acclimating in the B.C. Wild Coast outdoor gallery in a separate pool from the other sea lions, according to a Saturday media release from the aquarium. Staff will determine a proper time to introduce the new additions to Señor Cinco, the resident adult male California sea lion.

“At 18 years old, Holly and Maui are mature animals, and our responsibility is to support their long-term health and quality of life,” said Mackenzie Neale, director of animal care at Vancouver Aquarium, in the release.

“Our team brings decades of experience working with sea lions, and we’re committed to providing the highest standards of accredited care — from individualized wellness planning to daily enrichment that encourages natural behaviours.”

Holly and Maui are among the animals being transported to other facilities from Marineland in Niagara Falls, which closed down in 2024. They include 30 belugas and four dolphins, the only captive cetaceans remaining in Canada.

Last month, the federal government approved, with conditions, the shuttered attraction’s plan to send the belugas and dolphins to aquariums in the U.S., after it rejected a proposal to send them to China.