EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso Zoo’s beloved California sea lion veteran Little Bit, known as L.B., has died, the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens announced on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
L.B. died on Sunday, Sept. 1 at the age of 25 due to declining health, according to the El Paso Zoo in a news release.
California sea lion Little Bit. Photo courtesy to the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
The sea lion was seen by zookeepers to have unusual behavior, signs of discomfort and a severely diminished appetite for roughly two weeks, according to the Zoo.
According to veterinarians with the Zoo, they suspect that L.B. may have suffered from heart or kidney diseases, both common in elderly sea lions and not always detectable.
“L.B. was more than just an animal in our care; he was a beloved member of our Zoo family,” said El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens director, Joe Montisano. “For years, L.B. participated in daily demonstrations, showcasing his unique talent. As the only military veteran animal in any zoo, he would perform a salute to the crowd, and we’d proudly salute him back. He was a gentle giant with a huge personality, and his absence will be deeply felt. Our thoughts are with his devoted care team and the entire community who loved him.”
A necropsy revealed a significant fluid-filled mass on his right shoulder and neck that was the size of a cantaloupe, according to the Zoo. The mass was also seen in the ulcers in his stomach.
His precise cause of death won’t be revealed until his histopathology results are done, which take up to eight weeks, according to the Zoo.
L.B. was born in 1998 and was part of the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Program for three years, where he was trained to help in underwater detection, location and recovery missions.
He was honorably discharged and arrived at the El Paso Zoo in 2013. L.B. was known for his signature “salute” to the public, especially to veterans and the armed forces.
According to the El Paso Zoo, sea lions typically live up to 23 years.
Read: Read More