Baby Sea Lion Noa Dies At Zagreb Zoo

Noa, who was a healthy, playful and curious cub since birth, stopped breathing probably because of an innate defect.

ZAGREB, CROATIA – Noa, a 14-day-old sea lion cub stopped breathing during the celebration of the 84 th anniversary of Zagreb Zoothis weekend. The birthday party was overshadowed by this tragic event which saddened everyone present, the Jutarnji list daily writes.

Sad baby boom end

The recent sea lion baby boom surprised many in the past two years, but was ended in an utterly inappropriate manner: with tragedy. Although the veterinarian team of the Zoo tried to reanimate Noa, there was no rescuing the cub that suddenly stopped breathing.

The veterinarians and zoologists were exceptionally shocked with Noa`s death because he was absolutely healthy, unlike Simba and Kan, his brothers. The healthiest, most playful and curious sea lion cub did not need additional diet, he was not separated from his parents and visitors due to stress and did not receive any vitamin injections.

Noa`s death stunned everyone

The director of Zagreb Zoo Davorka Maljkovic pointed out that everyone was shocked to see Noa`s lifeless body lying next to the swimming pool, but there are no guarantees when it comes to life, especially if a fragile thing like a sea lion cub is in question.

Noa`s body will be transported to the Veterinary Faculty for an autopsy, which will determine the cause of death. Experts assume that an innate birth defect is in question, which is otherwise difficult to discover.

Mother Edith taught Noa how to dive, while his father Zagi was exceptionally tender towards his son. Davorka Maljkovic pointed out that usually sea lion males are rather rough with their young and it is not rare for them to drown the cubs.

Noa`s mother kept swimming in the pool, ceaselessly, trying to find her cub, but her search did not have a happy end.

PHOTO: Sea-Lion Born at Zagreb’s Zoo