Sealions tackle new balls challenge

Aug 15 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Sealions tackle new balls challenge

KNOWSLEY Safari Park’s sealions are being recruited to boost the attraction’s latest sponsorship deal.

Park managers recently agreed to sponsor Chris Flannery, the Australian lock forward who made his St Helens Rugby Club debut earlier this month.

To celebrate the agreement, the three stars of the Knowsley sealion show have now been trained to catch rugby balls in their act, rather than the usual footballs.

Safari Park general manager David Ross said: “We're situated in a big rugby league area here, so we thought it was high time that we made the move from the round ball to the oval ball and got involved with the Saints.

“We also thought it would be a good idea to highlight our sponsorship by incorporating the rugby ball into the sealion show which is hugely popular with our visitors.

“Our three performers – Max, Biffo and Arthur – are very clever animals and soon got the hang of the different shape and they’re now handling the oval ball like pros.”

Flannery had the chance to check out their skills for himself when he visited the Safari Park and took part in an impromptu training session with the sealions.