Exeter Zoowatch

Sea-Lion

Ask any tourist visiting England, which tourist attractions they�ll see during their stay and you�ll always get the same places cropping up; Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The Tower of London, Madame Tussauds and, of course, Exeter Zoo. But there�s trouble at this most famous of institutions, as a recent addition to the aquarium has been causing trouble. With me on the line now is the head of wet animals, Mitch Bagnet.
Hiya Mark!
So, what�s this animal that�s been causing you jip?
It�s the new sea-lion, Mark. It doesn�t seem to be adjusting to the aquarium environment.
Doesn�t seem to be adjusting?
Well, sinking to the bottom of the tank might be another way of phrasing it.
Sinking.
Don�t get me wrong, Mark, we�ve tried to help; waterwings, floats- all manner of buoyancy aids, and the old chap tries his best, splashing about and that, but seems to have a predetermined destination of the bottom of the tank- a big soggy ball of fur.
Fur? Now, when you say slashing about, you do mean splashing his flippers and things about?
Flippers you say? Not tail? He�s got a great big bushy tail. Except when it�s wet. Obviously.
Tell me, does this sea lion have a mane?
Oh yes, a lovely great big golden  mane.
I put it to you Mr. Bagnet, that the animal in the aquarium is not a sea lion, but an actual, non-aquatic, real lion.
There�s a difference?
Yes there�s a difference!
Oh.
Didn�t you think that a lion might not be best suited to a life of swimming and eating fish.
Well, I presumed that lions and sea lions were pretty much the same.
The same!?
You know- like African and Indian elephants- I didn�t think that anyone would notice.
Well, I hope you�ll now return the lion to its natural habitat.
Er...
Of land!
Oh yes, of course, well cheers for clearing that up.
And thank you for speaking to us, Mr. Mitch Bagnet!
<Pause> Sea horses- not actual horses?
Correct
Sea monkeys?
Not the same as monkeys.
Doh!... Catfish?
Very different to cats.
Pants.