The Oregon Coast Aquarium is mourning the loss of one of its oldest and most beloved sea lions.
Max, one of the original sea lions when the aquarium opened in 1992, died of natural causes this week. Considered a geriatric sea lion, he was just 2 years old when he arrived from the Chicago Brookfield Zoo, where he was born.
"Max was such a beloved ambassador of his species, who delighted our visitors and staff for many years," Carrie Lewis, President/CEO of the aquarium, said in a press release. "We will miss him forever."
Max, a California sea lion, was always eager to please his trainers, according to staff at the Newport attraction. One of his favorite activities was fetching toys.
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"Without us asking, he would retrieve toys from the pool and bring them to us and then look at us like he just did the best thing ever and deserved a whole bucket full of fish," said Brittany Blades, curator of marine mammals. "He had this look with very sweet brown eyes that felt like he had a deep connection with us staring into our souls.
"Max was loved not just by all his trainers and guests, but also by all of his sea lion pool mates. Our female sea lions, Catalina and Rosa, would argue over who got to be closest to Max during breeding season. Everyone who has worked with Max has been able to build a strong relationship with him.
"He will always have a very special place in my heart and many others."
Max had recently developed a cough, which prompted the staff to take radiographs of his throat, lungs and heart, according to the press release. Radiologists recommended he be transported to Oregon State University, where after a CT scan and an echocardiogram last week, he was diagnosed with congested heart failure.
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September 13, 2020 at 03:17AM
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Popular sea lion Max dies of natural causes at Oregon Coast Aquarium - Statesman Journal
"Max" - Google News
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