Popular aquarium sea lion dies during surgery
Tag, a 15-year-old male, was being treated for oral cancer
Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, July 02, 2008
VANCOUVER - One of the Vancouver Aquarium's most popular animals, a 15-year-old male Steller sea lion named Tag, died early Tuesday during an operation for oral cancer.
"We've shed quite a few tears," Dr. Martin Haulena, Vancouver Aquarium staff veterinarian said in an interview.
"He's one of our most famous animals, incredibly special, very close to a lot of us."
The 900-kilogram sea lion is known for splashing visitors with his flippers and blowing bubbles for children, he said.
"This guy was the nicest male Steller sea lion anyone's ever dealt with. He was a real gentle soul."
Tag had a 10-year history of oral and dental problems and underwent several procedures to remove diseased teeth. A biopsy done in February indicated cancer.
During the spring, Tag began chemotherapy and laser surgery. In addition, he was treated with new anti-inflammatory and gastric medications intended to make him more comfortable.
Aquarium staff anesthetized Tag on Monday evening in response to bleeding at the mouth.
The surgery revealed major problems caused by a "highly invasive and progressive carcinoma," the aquarium said.
Tag failed to fully recover from the procedure and died shortly before 2 a.m.
Haulena suggested that the cancer had weakened the animal to the point it couldn't handle the procedure.
Tag was removed from the wild in 1993, when he was only two weeks old, part of a group of Steller sea lions participating in studies by the University of B.C. Marine Mammal Research Unit.
Lifeforce founding director Peter Hamilton said Tag and the others should have been released back to the wild long ago.
"Life is hell in captivity," he said. "The social and behavioural needs cannot be provided for in captivity."