Melissa Montana welcomes Rick Schuiteman, Director & CEO for the FW Zoo, to Conversations! Rick talks about the recent grand opening of the newly reimagined Coastal Cove habitat. The updated habitat marks a first for the Zoo—a shared space for California sea lions and harbor seals. Beloved sea lions Cassandra and Valkyrie return, now joined by Ronan the harbor seal, as guests enjoy a closer look at these playful pinnipeds.
Originally built in 2002, Coastal Cove has been transformed with a larger beach, shaded areas, and enhanced life-support systems—including a state-of-the-art water filtration system for its 88,000-gallon pool. The upgrades also make room for more animals, with two additional harbor seals expected to arrive later this year.
Designed to evoke the rocky California coastline, the space features an iconic lighthouse, barnacle details, and driftwood, plus guest-friendly enhancements like shaded seating and improved accessibility. In the future, visitors can look forward to Wild Encounters—interactive experiences focused on rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation.
For more information about this exhibit and the FW Zoo, visit https://fwzoo.com/
For other interviews covering several different topics heard on Conversations with Melissa Montana, please click here.
