Amorous sea lion dies of exhaustion

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A male sea lion at the Nuremberg, Germany, animal park has died from exhaustion after an extended mating session.

According to an article in the London Daily Mail, Mike, a 19-year-old California sea lion, died from acute heart failure after a morning of repeated mating with the three females in his enclosure at the Nuremberg Zoo.

‘Mating season is a common time for fatalities when bulls often stop eating for days to devote themselves fully to mating,’ the park said in an statement. ‘For sea lion bulls with a harem, this is the most exhausting time.’

The mammal began showing symptoms around midday, when he could no longer get out of the pool and was brought ashore by staff.

Despite treatment from a veterinarian, the animal died hours later.

‘He will be remembered fondly by visitors of the animal park,’ the statement said.

Mike is survived by 12 offspring, which are in zoos throughout Europe.

-- Kelly Burgess