Construction has begun on a new sea lion and seal habitat at Columbus Zoo in Ohio, US, which will include an underwater viewing tunnel allowing visitors to walk next to the creatures as they swim around them.

The new area, called Adventure Cove, is expected to open to the public in Q2 2020 and will be open year-round.

The US$40m (€35.3m, £30.3m) project will stretch to around 7 acres, with the main pool using around 370,000 gallons of water.

A new conservation building called the Life Support System building is included, alongside a new visitor area called the Animal Encounters Village.

"One of the things that’s going to be super special, and it’s never been done anywhere, is that there’s going to be an acrylic glass tube where you can walk through and have a 360-degree experience," said Columbus Zoo president and CEO Tom Stalf.

"So you’re going to be standing there and sea lions and seals are going to swim right over you, right under you. You’re going to be right there and it’s going to be awesome."

The sea lions are currently residing in Florida until they make their way to the Ohio zoo in 2020 for the opening.