Photo: DPA

Sea lion mates himself to death at Nuremberg zoo

Published: 22 Jul 09 08:00 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090722-20743.html

A male sea lion from California called Mike has died of exhaustion after over-exerting himself during the mating season in an animal park in Nuremberg, the city said on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old father of 12 offspring through three different females - Farah, Tiffy and Soda - showed signs of tiredness at around midday on Monday, the southern city said in a statement.

"Mike could no longer get out of the pool and was brought ashore by staff. The extremely weakened animal was treated by a vet but died from acute heart failure around 3:30 pm," it said.

"Mating season is a common time for fatalities when bulls often stop eating for days to devote themselves fully to mating. For sea lion bulls with a harem this is the most exhausting time," it noted.

The statement added that Mike's offspring can be found in zoos as far afield as Berlin, Spain and the Netherlands, and that the 285-kilo (550-pound) animal was so "good natured" that people could touch him.

"He will be remembered fondly by visitors of the animal park for his appearances during shows in the dolphinarium where he had close contact with the dolphins," it said.

The record age for a sea lion in captivity is 30. In the wild they have a life expectancy of 17.

AFP (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This Facebook  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

15:02 July 22, 2009 by biljward
Now that is sacrifice. Such a good way to go out.
16:30 July 22, 2009 by SpaceMagic
I wonder if Californian men are so lucky with Bavarian women?! Or does one have to be a sea lion...
16:33 July 22, 2009 by katekatekoala
In related news: Viagra contaminates zoo food supply.
16:44 July 22, 2009 by NoBullJim
That's my man Mike! You rock. RIP and I know you will.
20:24 July 22, 2009 by MrNosey
Fool. He shoulda laid hisself back and let da bitches do da work.
20:42 July 22, 2009 by NoBullJim
True, but that would have probably killed him as well. It would me. But with a smile of course.
01:11 July 24, 2009 by newchris
This conversation was overheard at the Neurnberg Zoo between the head Veternairian and the Zoo Director.

The Vet: "I'm sorry, Herr Director, but Mike is dead."

The Zoo Director:" Mike, Mike, Mike. I told him, You gotta pace yourself! Try a little foreplay, a little conversation, Take your time, take a nap, but Oh, No! he was always going all out, all the time. Hump, hump, hump, Now look at him, himself to death. Dead!"

The Vet: "Herr Director, sir, we have a problem."

The Zoo Director " We have a problem? I have a problem! I gotta find his replacement! quick!"

The Vet: "What?"

The Zoo Director: "Ja, his widows arent going to grieve for long. In about two weeks, I'm going to have 1500 kilos of hot, horney, female blubber chasing me around the the moat."

The Vet: "What do you mean?"

The Zoo Director: " Without Mike, the stud, around to give them a hard one, the girls, Farah, Tiffany, and Soda, get very grumpy and irritable, They are insatable."

The Vet: "What shall We do?"

The Zoo Director: "I don't know. Take out a personals ad? "Zoo seeks young male hetro Sealion who likes multiple sex in public places and happens to be a Nyphnomanic? Must have stamina?"

The Vet: "No, Herr Director, I meant the body! What do We do with Mike's body?"

The Zoo Director: " Oh, that. Take our dearly departed and toss him in the Lion cage. If there is anything left, give it to the Chimpanzees. Those guys will eat anything."
17:12 July 29, 2009 by intolerance
I think you meant insatiable and nymphomaniac. Nymphomaniac is a term used for females .
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
For comment quoting and other advanced formatting features,
try posting via this article's discussion forum page instead.
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Hartz IV welfare benefits ruled unconstitutional

Millions of German families on welfare could receive more government assistance after the nation’s highest court ruled Tuesday the controversial Hartz IV system of payments was unconstitutional. READ (34 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Löw backs down in contract dispute

National coach Joachim Löw ended his stand-off with the German Football Federation (DFB) on Tuesday, as both parties agreed to plough all their efforts into Germany's 2010 World Cup campaign. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Germans splashing out on Karneval despite bad economy

The tough economic climate is failing to dent Germans’ enthusiasm for Karneval, with partygoers set to spend €300 million on costumes and makeup during this year’s season, the Toy Retailers’ Association said Monday. READ »

Photo: DPA

Study finds major discrimination against Turkish job applicants

Jobseekers with Turkish names are clearly discriminated against when looking for work in Germany, a study released this week has found. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Young literary star Hegemann counters plagiarism claim

Best-selling teenage novelist Helene Hegemann rejected accusations of plagiarism in her debut novel “Axolotl Roadkill” on Tuesday, after it emerged she had taken slabs of text from an anonymous author and blogger. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Hamburg politician puts the 'I' in street de-icing

The president of Hamburg's city parliament is reportedly in hot water for ordering authorities to clear the footpaths of ice outside his own home while leaving the rest of the city to slip and slide their way home. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Construction worker confesses in Cologne archive collapse case

Eleven months after the deadly collapse of Cologne’s city archive, a construction worker has given investigators their first confession in the case, media reports said on Tuesday. READ »

Photo: DPA

Berlinale highlights shift to 3-D films

Buyers at the Berlin film festival will be seeing triple this year, as 3-D productions such as "Avatar" transform the global cinema industry. READ »

More Society
Highlights
Photo: Tamsin Ross Van Lessen
SOCIETY »
Indie cinemas are a dying breed the world over... except in Berlin, home to nearly 60 small arthouse and neighbourhood venues. As Alice Harrison reports, some are even getting the red carpet treatment at this year's Berlinale.

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

571 jobs in Germany, in English
396 new jobs this week
79 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Latest news from The Local in Sweden
Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline
Sales managers - country wide
The Local is seeking talented and experienced media sales professionals for our online advertising sales in Germany
FULL JOB DETAILS
Best Foreign exchange rates dealing - all major currencies
Foreign Currency Direct voted as offering the best exchange rates. All currency exchange transactions are managed by Ben Amrany. We guarantee that readers of The Local/Toytown receive a 5 star service
FULL DETAILS HERE>>>
JOB: Nursery Teacher / Early Years Educator
Wolfsburg nursery, specialising in an Early Years Programme, seeks English speaking nursery teacher
FULL JOB DETAILS
JOB: Admin and academic positions
GBCM is currently seeking experienced and ambitious full/part-time staff in the academic field as well as a flexible office manager for roles in an international environment
FULL JOB DETAILS
Advertising 2.0
MARKETPLACE - promote your business to half a million targeted readers a month on The Local. Find great products and services in Germany or tell The Local's readers about your own business.
CLICK HERE>>>

The Local Europe GmbH
Linienstrasse 214
10119 Berlin
Germany