PANAMA CITY BEACH - Gulf World Marine Park announced Tuesday that Duke, a California sea lion and the park’s senior resident, passed away. Duke was 27.
Duke came to Gulf World in 2007 from the Georgia Aquarium, and was a star in the sea lion and rough-toothed dolphin show.
But on Monday afternoon, Duke became very lethargic and had several seizures. Gulf World veterinarian Dr. Lydia Staggs determined his condition would most likely be terminal, and the staff was put on 24-hour watch. Duke became weaker overnight, and his seizures became longer and more severe. Staggs recommended Tuesday morning that Duke be euthanized.
Preliminary necropsy results revealed liver cancer had spread to many of Duke’s other organs. Cancer is very common in older sea lions, according to Gulf World.