11-year-old boy mauled by sea lion in Australia

Sydney: An 11-year-old boy is recovering after being mauled by a sea lion at a popular Sydney zoo in front of horrified visitors.

The boy was identified by his stepmother as Jack Lister. He had been invited by zookeepers to meet the 8-year-old female sea lion during the Taronga Zoo's seal and sea lion show on Friday.

Zoo officials say after feeding the animal, Jack mistakenly followed it off the stage, which spooked it.

The sea lion bit the boy and left several puncture wounds on his stomach. Jack had abdominal surgery on Friday night and was in stable condition at a hospital.

Zoo officials say the sea lion had never shown aggressive behavior before. They are investigating the attack.