Sea Lions Return To NYC

On Friday, Mayor Bloomberg was on hand to [welcome back several sea lions] to their home at the Bronx  Zoo. The celebration was part of the [reopening of the landmark Astor Court](www.WCS.org/353624/WCS_astorcourt), one of the few intact turn of the century spaces in New York City. “I’m here because I’m not just the mayor of  two-legged New Yorkers; I’m the mayor of all creatures in New York City,” Bloomy said before tossing the official first fish to Cleo, Indy, Adrienne and Kiani, the lone male on loan from Georgia (oh, yeah).

John Blauner, a spectator at the re-opening of the pool, said, “The sea lions are like the Radio City  Rockettes.” Confused? We were too, until he explained that they seem to swim in unison.

In addition to feeding the marine mammals, the mayor thanked David T. Schiff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which operates the Bronx Zoo, for his contribution to the renovation of the Lion House. “Schiff  happens,” Mr. Schiff replied.

Steven E. Sanderson, President and CEO of the WCS, said that 44 million people visit the Bronx Zoo each year. “Generations of families have come to the zoo and built memories,”  he said. Meanwhile, a young attendee at the Grizzly bear exhibit whined, “I’ve been here an hour and I haven’t seen a single  animal.” Ahhh, memories.