A troupe of performing sea lions at the Shanghai Safari Park is now the largest of its kind in China after three of the marine mammals from California joined the group recently bringing its total number to 23.

Sea lions originate in the North Pacific, South America, Australia and New Zealand. The animals are intelligent and suitable for training.

The sea lion show has long been a top attraction at the park with many visitors. The 23 sea lions in the troupe come from SouthAfrica, South America, and California in the United States.

The new arrivals would receive training with their peers beforemaking their China debut, said safari park sources.

( People's Daily July 22, 2002)