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)

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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."
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