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At the Wilhelma Stuttgart: Minister Bayaz adopts the “Unesco” sea lion

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Stuttgart – The sea lion is a real gem. It’s called “Unesco” and weighs a whopping 280 kilos. The country’s finance minister has apparently taken a liking to him: Danyal Bayaz (39, Greens) has adopted the Wilhelma animal.

Cuddles are not possible with the new couple. Although sea lions have very thick fur, they tend to dislike contact with people who are not their keepers. In addition, it’s naturally rather wet in the “Unesco” enclosure…

Danyal Bayaz is responsible for the finances of the state of Baden-Württemberg

Photo: picture alliance/dpa

But finance minister Bayaz is not at all concerned with petting. He said in Wilhelma: “A sponsorship for an animal supports Wilhelma in its valuable work.”

Bayaz enthused that despite their weight, California sea lions are particularly elegant and fast animals. “Just 100 years ago they were threatened with extinction. Luckily that’s no longer the case today,” he said.

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Sponsorships are available from 50 euros

Wilhelma boss Dr. Thomas Kölpin (54) is delighted with the animals – and enthusiastic about Bayaz’ commitment. With the sponsorship he “once again showed his close connection to Wilhelma”. Bayaz is already the godfather of a snow leopard.

The sea lion bull “Unesco” came to Wilhelma in 2009. Before that he lived in the Karlsruhe Zoo, where he was born in 2006.

Wilhelma earns money through sponsorships. You can get in from 50 euros. For this amount you can sponsor a small bird or a frog, for example. According to the Wilhelma website, sponsoring a sea lion costs 1,000 euros.

The income does not only benefit the sponsored animal. The money goes to many of the zoo’s projects. In the past, for example, the beautification of the snow leopard enclosure and the construction of the small mammal, bird and insect house were co-financed.

An Australian world is currently being built in Wilhelma. Animals will probably be seen here from the end of June. Including koalas, for which eucalyptus is specially bred. Bayaz also attended plant breeding.

Source: Asia Times

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