February 17, 2022 3:20 a.m.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport is welcoming a new addition to its sea lion colony: Nemo the 24-year old male California sea lion.

A release said Nemo came to the OCAq from Animal Training and Research International Center at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in Monterey, California.

Prior to his arrival at ATR in 1998, Nemo was found stranded at age 2, and received care at SeaWorld San Diego. The release said Nemo was one of the many victims of El Nino conditions, a climate event that disrupts food chains and adversely impacts marine animals.

Nemo also sustained an injury to his jaw that required the removal of bone fragments and multiple teeth. As this would compromise his ability to catch prey, Nemo was deemed non-releasable.

ATR suffered severe financial losses as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis. It was determined that finding new homes for their animals was the best way to ensure their long-term care and welfare.

As is standard protocol, Nemo is spending 30 days in medical quarantine before he meets the rest of OCAq’s pinnipeds, including fellow California sea lions Catalina and Rosa.

For more information, go to: https://aquarium.org/