November 15, 2008: Sea Lion Artists

[xoxoxoBruce]

Bored with critters that just sit around looking cute? Turns out critters get bored, just sitting around looking cute.
To pass the time, and relieve the boredom, these two Sea lions took up painting.

Staff at the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park in Devon say the sea lions produce different types of paintings depending on their mood.
Sea lion curator Nikki Morrison said the park hit on the idea as a way of keeping the animals mentally stimulated in captivity.
Nikki said: 'The painting was one of the ideas we tried out to see if they would like it and the sea lions seem to get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
'Depending on their mood, it can get them really excited, and you can see them perk up when they have a brush in their mouths.
'It can be very calming for them. If they seem a little stressed or having an off-day, as we all do sometimes, it seems to really relax them and help them focus.

Would have been more productive to get them to paint the park, but I suppose they can sell the paintings, and hire somebody to do that.
I've seen elephants and monkeys painting, but I don't remember any others.

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