NEWPORT, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Coast Aquarium officials in Newport say one of two young California sea lions recently acquired by the aquarium has drowned.
Aquarium spokeswoman Cindy Hanson says the sea lion named Bailey and the other young newcomer named Maya apparently worked loose a filtration drain cover in a temporary pool where the two were being quarantined. It appears suction from the drain kept 10-month-old Bailey from being able to surface to breathe. The animal’s remains have been sent to Oregon State University’s veterinary college to confirm the cause of death.
Hanson says the accident happened Sunday night or early Monday.
The young sea lions came to the aquarium on March 3 because each was blind in one eye and they were deemed unsuitable for release to the wild.
Hanson says the pool and filter system have been used many times for marine animal rehabilitation. Maya has been moved to a new tank and the tank where Bailey died is being reconfigured.
