A sea lion band at Otaru Aquarium in northern Japan playing a Christmas song under the direction of their trainer has become an Internet hit, after a video clip was released on the aquarium’s Facebook page earlier this week.
The band is made up of three South American sea lions: 12-year-old pianist Yume, 14-year-old drummer Hana and 13-year-old cymbal player Nana.
In the video, the band plays a Japanese Christmas song called “Awatenbou No Santa Claus.”
READ MORE: Beluga whale Aurora still in intensive care at Vancouver Aquarium
Tomoyuki Shimura, the aquarium staff, has been practicing with the band for about a week, the aquarium told Reuters.
The band has changed songs in its repertoire for the shows the aquarium puts on for the winterseason, and posted the video with hopes of showcasing the intelligence of the South American sea lions, the aquarium added.