For Release:
November 14, 2003
Contact: Peper
Long 
202-673-0206
Zoo Sea Lion Loses
Battle with Pneumonia
Smithsonian’s National Zoological
Park veterinarians euthanized “Norman,” the
26-year-old male California sea lion at 4:10 p.m. today,
after a fierce battle with pneumonia, which lasted
three months.
Norman, who weighed nearly 600 pounds, was wild-born
in May 1977, and orphaned as a pup. The National
Zoo acquired Norman from Marineland in California,
on
Oct. 12, 1978.
Since then, Norman, and the Zoo’s surviving female sea lion "Maureen,” have
become favorites of Zoo visitors and featured participants in animal demonstrations.
Zoo veterinary and animal care staff worked diligently, using behavioral training
methods to deliver antibiotics and other medication to treat his illness.
"Norman has been a part of the Zoo family for years,” said Linda
Moore, National Zoo biologist. “We all worked together to keep him comfortable,
and when that was no longer possible, we made the decision to euthanize.”
California sea lions – Zalophus californianus – live off the Pacific
coast from British Columbia to Baja California, and have a life span of approximately
20 years. Sea lions have two sets of flippers, which help them move on both land
and sea. The bone structure of their front flippers allows for powerful strokes
in the water, helping sea lions reach swimming speeds of 25 mph.
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