OKC Zoo Saddened By Death Of Newborn Sea Lion Pup

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden announced that the sixth California sea lion pup born at the Zoo died shortly after birth Tuesday morning, inside the Zoo's Noble Aquatics Center.

According to Zoo officials, the female pup was the second offspring of Zoo favorites Pearl, 12, and Xander, 12, both rescued animals who came to the Zoo from Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California, in 2003.

For the past month, Zoo staff and trained volunteers spent hundreds of hours conducting an around-the-clock birth watch to observe and document Pearl's behavior to ensure a smooth labor and delivery. The veterinary team and animal care staff also conducted weekly ultrasounds to monitor the pup's health, officials said.

“Pearl carried her calf full-term and, until the delivery, all signs pointed to a healthy pup,” said Mark Bechtel, marine mammal curator. The stillborn pup was resuscitated by the veterinary team but could not sustain life on her own. A necropsy (animal autopsy) will be conducted to help determine the cause of death.

“Our experienced veterinary and animal care team dedicate their lives to these remarkable animals,” said Dwight Lawson, OKC Zoo Executive Director/CEO. “While we always strive to recognize death as part of the natural cycle of life, this loss is difficult for the entire team. I'm extremely proud of the dedication and professional care they gave Pearl and her calf over the last year.”

Officials said the team will now focus on Pearl's well-being in the coming weeks, helping her re-establish a schedule with her trainers and re-socializing her with the Zoo's five other California sea lions. Pearl's and Xander's last pup, a male born in 2008, died at one year of age due to liver failure.