A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 8 : Sea lions! What? More Sea lions? Yes! Plus a seal

And what could be better than a nice yawn after dinner?  Maybe a background discussion of the dangers of drag nets?  Maybe not the best after dinner subject but definitely necessary for conservation.
 

Along with yawning let's add some meditation for the discussion about positive reinforcement and the use of yellow jellies (plain gelatin dyed yellow which apparently they love) for more reinforcement.

Don't forget to scratch!  Let the handler talk about California Sea Lions.

Shake, shake, shake it off!  

Apparently this Harbor Seal is secretly an underwater ballerina-see how they twirl?

Awwww....the cute little seal getting a fish dinner.

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 7 : Sea lions! Continuing on...

 A slew of sea lion videos for today's post!

In this first one the handler calls the sea lion.

Second video features the sea lion getting eye drops and getting rewarded.

Just some simpler tricks like touch in the third video.

Now we get into a string of commands with the fourth video like wave, back-up, and raise flipper.

For the fifth video the handler sends the sea lion away...

...to do long distance fish catching in the sixth video!

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 4 : Senor Chico

 

The Vancouver Aquarium is home to Senor Chico, a California Sea Lion.

It must take a fair amount of strength to swing around a body weighing several hundred pounds.

Mica hanging out by Mr. Chico's enclosure.

Notice how deliberately the handler pays attention to her space and pace and that of Senor Chico-although these animals know the handlers they are still wild and have their good and bad days.  Even with our dogs I pay attention if B-B is in a bitey mood or B wants to be a baby piranha.