9/17/26 - Elderly Sea Lions Dragged Across the U.S. to do Stupid Tricks

Stella and Kitty are approximately 23-year-old female South American sea lions and continue to be hauled from venue to venue to perform with Sea Lion Splash. A third California sea lion, Gouda, also travels with them and is only about six.

Stella and Kitty have already spent more than a decade in this horrific traveling-show system, while Gouda could face many more if the bookings continue.

Their history stretches back more than a decade. A 2013 LA County Fair post named Stella and Kitty as performers. August 2026 reporting from North Idaho State Fair identified them again, alongside Gouda.

Now Tulsa State Fair has scheduled Sea Lion Splash for 33 performances, October 1–11, 2026. That is three shows a day across all 11 days of the fair. The individual animals assigned to Tulsa have not been confirmed, but we expect Stella, Kitty, and Gouda to be on site.

The truck crash.

In August, a truck carrying three Sea Lion Splash animals to the Missouri State Fair crashed on Interstate 70. The sea lions were reportedly not seriously injured; fair officials said veterinarians evaluated them and found them in excellent health. While the animals were lucky this time, the crash shows that highway transport itself exposes these animals to great risk for the sake of menial entertainment.

Tulsa has its own history with this act.

On October 2, 2024, USDA inspectors at the Tulsa State Fair cited Sea Lion Splash after finding rusted holes with sharp points and edges, plus chipped and peeling paint, in the off-display primary enclosure pool for three pinnipeds. Inspectors warned that the damaged surfaces could cause injury and make cleaning and sanitation more difficult.

In April 2025, USDA also cited incomplete or outdated medical records involving Lilly and Zoey at Maricopa County Fair. The 2026 APHIS inspection reports reviewed by CWI, through July 1, recorded no noncompliance. These are historical findings, not evidence of current violations.

Tulsa State Fair and Expo Square can help break this cycle. Tell fair leadership to cancel Sea Lion Splash and commit to keeping future fairs free of traveling marine-mammal acts.

Stella and Kitty have spent long enough on the road. Gouda should not spend her life there.

TAKE ACTION: TELL TULSA — NO MORE SEA LION SHOWS →