A California sea lion pup has become the first to have been born in Scotland after more than two decades.
Keepers at Blair Drummond Safari Park said the newborn pup is also the first to be born at the park, and have named the little one Otis.
Ineke, one of the park’s sea lions, gave birth to her first offspring after an 11-month pregnancy at around 3am on Tuesday.
Otis is still in the early stages of development, but both mother and baby are reported to be in good health.
During the next year, first-time mum Ineke will nurse and care for Otis, and she may choose to spend more time indoors during this period.
A recently-built sea lion habitat at the park includes a specialised area designed specifically for rearing pups.
“We are thrilled to welcome Otis to our family,” said Shane Belson, the Sea Lion team leader at Blair Drummond Safari Park.
“Ineke is proving to be a great mum, and little Otis is growing more confident and curious every day.
“California sea lions are such a charismatic species and really help us to educate our visitors about the importance of marine biodiversity.”
He added that while the species is not currently endangered, in the wild they rely on a carefully balanced marine environment which is currently under threat.
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