A female sea lion was able to slip out of her enclosure at the Central Park Zoo Friday amidst a deluge in New York City.

While the sea lion did leave the pool to go explore, she did not leave the zoo grounds. The facility had been closed by its operator, the Wildlife Conservation Society, due to the flooding.

The curious creature ultimately chose to return to her fellow sea lions following her excursion.

“Zoo staff monitored the sea lion as she explored the area before returning to the familiar surroundings of the pool and the company of the other two sea lions. The water levels have receded, and the animals are contained in their exhibit,” Wildlife Conservation Society Executive Vice President Jim Breheny said in a statement Friday.

Video of the flooded enclosure was posted to X by the New York City Police Department.

As of 8:51 p.m. Friday, Central Park had gotten 5.8 inches of rain according to the National Weather Service.

John F. Kennedy International Airport set a new daily record for the month of September for rainfall, receiving 8.65 inches of rain by the same time Friday, NWS data says.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.