The Region : Sea Lion’s Death Sparks Inquiry at Zoo

Federal officials reportedly are investigating complaints that careless handling led to the death of a sea lion at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The probe by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Department of Agriculture was initiated after officials were told that Thunder, a bull sea lion, died when he was dropped from a crane onto his previously fractured jaw, the Santa Barbara News-Press reported. Zoo officials denied that Thunder was dropped, saying he “stressed out and died on the spot” when he slammed his broken jaw on the side of his pen. Thunder broke his jaw several weeks ago as he was being moved from his pen to a temporary holding facility.