A “LONELY” sealion lives a miserable existence in an old tank after his girlfriend died of cancer, activists claim.
Junior was born 22 years ago at the Mediterraneo Marine Park in Naxxar, Malta, and spent all his life with beau Dana – but is now alone.
Junior is a 22-year-old sealion at Mediterraneo Marine Park in Naxxar, MaltaSWNS
SWNSA tragic video shows him circling his old tank, where he lives alone[/caption]
Junior still performs for crowds at the park alongside his trainerSWNS
Footage from an animal activist group shows Junior mournfully circling his cramped tank, where he has been kept alone for two years.
Dana died in April 2023 from cancer – leaving her long-time love behind.
During a recent visit to the park, activists from TideBreakers spoke with Junior’s trainer – who confirmed he now suffers from arthritis and is also going blind.
Patagonian sea lions are known to be highly social animals that thrive in large colonies.
Yet Junior has spent his entire life in captivity with only a single companion – and now faces seeing out his years alone, the campaigners claim.
Marketa, co-founder of TideBreakers, said: “We strongly believe solitary conditions are torture for highly social animals like seal lions.
“Total isolation for a gregarious species like a sea lion, along with a crumbling tank places Junior’s at risk compounded by his already compromised health.
“We believe that after 22 years of being exploited for profit he should be retired and moved into a facility with better conditions equipped to care for him so he can be reunited with other sea lions.”
Marketa and fellow TideBreakers activists scoped out the marine park on August 15, where they watched one of Junior’s performances and claimed his eyes remained shut throughout.
They later spoke with Junior’s trainer, who wished to remain anonymous, who confirmed that the sea lion’s health is deteriorating.
The trainer also revealed that the park has applied for and received permits to import two male sea lions, aged eight and twelve, and that a new pool is currently being built to house them.
Marketa said: “Junior’s trainer confirmed that Junior is going blind and has arthritis.
“We also observed the trainer putting drops in Junior’s eyes.
“If the park does get more sea lions, we were told Junior will never meet them because of their age difference and because Junior will stay in the old deteriorated tank.
“We are worried he may be euthanized when the new younger males arrive, which will likely happen in the coming weeks.”
The Parliamentary Secretary for Fishing, Aquaculture and Animal Rights in Malta, Alicia Bugeja, ordered an independent investigation into conditions at the park on September 15.
The investigation was prompted by a series of concerning reports about the welfare and facilities provided for the park’s dolphins.
Junior’s long-term girlfriend Dana died from cancer two years agoSWNS
But the activists hope Junior’s situation will also be examined.
Marketa said: “We had started looking at Mediterraneo Marine Park because of the dolphins and are happy that our campaigning helped push for this investigation.
“But seals and sea lions are often overlooked at dolphinariums and we’re hoping this footage can bring awareness to Junior’s cause.
“Junior has lived his life in a concrete tank that’s deteriorating with chipping paint, swimming endless laps or laying completely motionless waiting for another show to work for his food.
“He should be relocated to a better, less exploitative facility.”
The Sun has contacted Mediterraneo Marine Park for comment.