Heartbreaking drone footage has revealed the depressing living conditions of a sea lion forced to spend his days alone, circling a crumbling tank.

Junior, a male Patagonian sea lion, was born 22 years ago at the Mediterraneo Marine Park in Naxxar, Malta.

Footage released by the animal activist group TideBreakers shows Junior repeatedly circling his cramped tank, where he has been kept alone since the death of his life partner two years ago.

Dana, his long-time companion, died in April 2023 from cancer and Junior has been isolated since.

During a recent visit to the park, TideBreakers staff and volunteers spoke with Junior's trainer, who confirmed that 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 his final years completely alone.

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 attended the marine park on August 15, where they observed Junior during a performance and noticed that his eyes remained shut throughout the show.

They later spoke with Junior's trainer, who wished to remain anonymous, and 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 Mediterraneo Marine 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.

But TideBreakers activists say they 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."