Columbus Zoo staff mourns death of 14-year-old sea lion
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s staff is mourning the loss of a 14-yearold California sea lion, which died Thursday from complications related to a respiratory infection.
Simba, a male, was one of 10 sea lions that arrived at the zoo in May, shortly before its new Adventure Cove region opened to guests. He was more caramel-colored than others and was easily to identify by his unique vocalizations that keepers called a “baby bark.”
He suffered cardiac arrest while under anesthesia, while the zoo’s animal care team tried to evaluate his deteriorating condition, according to a Friday post on the zoo’s Facebook page.
The zoo’s staff had been aggressively treating Simba with antibiotics and decongestants, as well as anti-inflammatory and pain medications, after discovering that he was having trouble breathing, the update said.
Keepers first became aware of a problem when they noticed Simba was uncharacteristically stretching his neck.
Despite treatment, Simba’s condition didn’t improve and he became less interested in food. In the last 24 hours, he also developed a cough, which is why the animal care team decided to put him under anesthesia.
Efforts to revive him with CPR, IV fluids, intubation and a ventilator were not successful.
“Simba will be greatly missed,” the zoo’s Facebook post said. “He was very close with his trainers, who say that working with Simba was incredibly rewarding, as he was smart, kind and a wonderful ambassador for his species.”