Meet Hugo, nicknamed ‘Huggie’ by his doting carers. Hugo is an endangered Australian Sea-lion. He was born at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary in Coffs Harbour as part of the Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP). The ASMP is a collaborative program conducted by zoos in Australia to maintain viable populations of endangered species.

Hugo is the first baby for mother ‘Adelaide’ an Australian sea lion who was rescued and raised at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. Despite being orphaned 12 years ago, Adelaide’s maternal instinct kicked in immediately, and Hugo is thriving.

Hugo’s father is ‘Ozzie’, Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary’s largest sea-lion weighing in at a massive 150kgs. Ozzie was also born at the park as part of the ASMP for this species.

Hugo loves exploring and is always watching seagulls fly past. He certainly isn’t shy and is very curious and adventurous, always keen to play with something new. Nothing startles him!