Neptune, the Peoria Zoo’s male sea lion passed away overnight. Neptune was born in 1986, making him 25 years old. He came to the Peoria Zoo from the Jackson Zoo in March of 2000. In early January of this year, Neptune had gone off his food and blood tests revealed that his liver was compromised. Though he returned to eating, the Zoo staff had been doing everything possible to make him as comfortable as possible, but in the last few days his appetite had dropped again. He was found this morning in his sea lion pool. A necropsy will be conducted today by the Zoo’s attending veterinarian.

Although he was of advanced age, sea lions can live into their early 30s. Rosa, the remaining sea lion is actually 27 years old. Her age would make it difficult to introduce a new sea lion so there are no plans to replace Neptune. Staff plans to heap lots of attention on Rosa.