Colchester Zoo sealion Paris dies aged 21
Zoo staff say its like 'losing a member of the family'
Last updated 20th Jun 2022
Colchester Zoo has announced the death of its sealion Paris, at the age of 21.
She'd lived at the zoo since 2003 and is said to have built up an 'incredible bond' with her keepers.
Paris was undergoing treatment for an inner ear infection that wasn't responding to treatment.
She passed away during surgery despite the best efforts of vets to save her.
Kirsty, one of Paris’s keepers said “Paris was the boss of the group with a big personality, she was the largest of them all as she loved her food and was ruled by her belly!
"You’d know when Paris was around as she had the loudest roar and was very good at making a grand entrance into the pool with a big splash!
"We will miss Paris terribly and Playa Patagonia will not be the same without her.”
The remaining sealions at the zoo will get extra support over the next few weeks as they adjust to Paris' death.