A PAIR of Patagonian sea lions are settling into their new home at Dudley Zoo after arriving from the South of France.

The two females Marina, aged 19, and 18-year-old Tania translocated from African Safari, Plaisance du Touch, near Toulouse – the same place 18-year-old Deisy came from earlier this year.

The girls, both born in Uruguay, made the 48-hour journey in an air-conditioned vehicle and arrived on Friday morning (October 2).

Dr David Beeston, the zoo's registrar and research co-ordinator, said: “Female sea lions in particular do like to hang about in larger groups so Marina and Tania will be wonderful company for Cleo and Deisy.

“At first the females will all stay together in one pool but eventually, after a slow introduction, we hope to connect our two pools so the four females and male, Oba, can have the run of the whole enclosure.”

Keepers said they were looking forward to getting to know Marina and Tania and to discover their personalities and characters.