Tacoma, United States - February 22, 2025 At Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, an 8-month-old sea lion pup named Pepper is stealing hearts and making history as the first of her kind born at the zoo in its 120-year legacy. Today, the playful pup was spotted batting around a car wash strip for enrichment, showcasing her growing curiosity and boundless energy. Pepper, a female sea lion pup, has been delighting zoo staff and visitors alike since her birth, when she weighed an estimated 15 pounds. Now tipping the scales at 74 pounds, she’s growing stronger and more independent with each passing day. According to keepers, Pepper continues to nurse and share a close bond with her mother, Eloise, while seamlessly integrating with the zoo’s other seals and sea lions, including her father, Boomer. This week, Pepper hit a significant milestone in her journey toward adulthood—she’s begun playing with fish and squid. Though she mostly treats them like toys, batting them around with youthful glee, she recently ate her first fish, a promising sign that the weaning process is underway. These playful interactions mark her first steps toward mastering the solid-food diet of adult sea lions. Beyond her dietary explorations, Pepper’s social development is thriving. Keepers are dedicating extra time to build trust with the young pup, laying the groundwork for future training that will enable her to participate in her own care. From learning basic cues to eventually assisting with voluntary medical checks, this relationship is fostering Pepper’s confidence and independence. Every day brings new accomplishments for this adorable sea lion, whose spirited antics and historic birth have made her a beloved figure at Point Defiance. As Pepper continues to grow and charm everyone around her, zoo officials promise more updates on her journey. For now, visitors can catch a glimpse of her splashing and playing—car wash strip and all—proof that this little pup is already making big waves.