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Exotic Incident #2553

Incident Date:
05/28/2016
Location:
Omaha, NE - USA
Facility Name:
Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Marine
Animal:
Sea lion
Animal disposition:
Dead

Summary:

A pregnant sea lion at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium died after zookeepers tranquilized the animal when she was claiming another sea lion’s newborn pup as her own. She was tranquilized shortly after the zoo opened, leaving spatters of blood in the partially drained pool as a few zoo guests watched. She came to and started calling out to her family. Keepers stayed with her for 30 minutes, then left to check on the pup. When they returned 10 minutes later, the sea lion was dead, about two hours after being tranquilized. A necropsy showed that her unborn pup had died a day or more prior.

Action take by Born Free USA:

Notes:

http://www.omaha.com/living/zoo/pregnant-sea-lion-at-omaha-zoo-dies-after-being-tranquilized/article_a1af0b2a-275b-11e6-baf3-bb27efd8b33e.html