Originally constructed in 1879 and then rebuilt in 1969, the sea lion pool is one of the oldest and most popular Lincoln Park Zoo exhibits. Extensive renovation of the Kovler Sea Lion Pool was completed in May 1999. This naturalistic exhibit provides the zoo’s gray seals a remarkable new habitat that replicates their home in the wild. At the underwater viewing area, visitors enjoy a close look at the seals as they gracefully glide through the water. Their amazing and amusing antics have made these marine mammals a zoo favorite for more than 120 years.

FIELD NOTE Gray seal   The scientific community was not particularly kind when it came to the gray seal.