Sea Lion Unexpectedly Dies From Sneezing At A New York Zoo - KSEE

By Nina Golgowski Daily Mail

Credit: Seneca Park Zoo

Sea Lion Unexpectedly Dies From Sneezing At A New York Zoo

October 7, 2012 Updated Oct 7, 2012 at 9:59 AM PDT

A sea lion that had been receiving treatment for sneezing has died unexpectedly at a New York zoo.

The 6-year-old male sea lion named Puff was being treated for sinusitis and under anesthesia when it died unexpectedly on Thursday, rattling staff and guests at the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester.

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'We really didn't expect it,' Larry Sorel, County Zoo Director told the Democrat and Chronicle.

The 490-pound Puff had been receiving treatment for months for sneezing, bloody mucus and nasal discharge.

'A death such as this is truly a shock to the entire Zoo family,' Mr Sorel said in a statement. 'However, it has so much more impact on the zoo keepers who dedicated themselves to providing a full and rich life to Puff.'

Zoo officials said a necropsy confirmed Puff having suffered from an invasive necrotizing sinusitis.

While described as unusual by Dr. Jeff Wyatt, the zoo's Director of Animal Health & Conservation, he said it doesn't pose a threat to the health of the other three sea lions at the park.

The zoo's director says healthy sea lions usually live for at least 15 to 20 years. One of the zoo's other sea lions, Flounder, is 21 years old.

With Puff having arrived at the zoo at 11-months old from SeaWorld Orlando in Florida, Mr Sorel said Puff's loss is particularly hard on his staff that had been with the sea lion for the majority of his life.

'While life must go on, Puff's absence will be felt for a long time,' he said.

Encouraging visitors to pay tribute to Puff this weekend, the zoo's staff invited small pictures, drawings and/or other small mementos to share in their Rocky Coasts Gallery, where the sea lions are held.

Puff leaves behind Flounder and two female sea lions, Lilly and Marina who are both aged three.

The zoo says they don't have any plans to replace Puff at this time.

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