Colchester Zoo Sea Lion Atlanta Dies After 21 Years

[{"selector":"#anim-a486d99c-c391-4ac2-b2ac-e544671d4aec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c8b9af4-5a7e-4398-b258-6dac517e9dc8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.55696%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5c10e904-0345-4c76-925c-b69d1518769c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8b5380d-05a7-495e-8bea-18ca783d5d82","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-122.3301%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":800,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Colchester Zoo Sea Lion Atlanta Dies After 21 Years Govind Tekale

Beloved sea lion Atlanta died at Colchester Zoo on April 13, leaving staff and visitors mourning the loss of the 20-year resident.

[{"selector":"#anim-f108642b-fb2a-45ca-a87f-40a3732cd1c4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d017400-84a2-4cf3-b351-04a51f82a770","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.50632%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0b1e7ea-231a-4808-b2b1-665c0b072782","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9b7dfc5-71b9-46cd-ac22-b5178edec0b5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.02864%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6591ded-ae4c-47ff-ac28-daacefda0efd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21ae6b2e-7059-4698-9381-459818c7544f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source -Colchester Zoological Society Representative Image

Despite undergoing blood tests, X-rays, and constant monitoring, veterinarians couldn't determine what caused Atlanta's health to suddenly worsen.

[{"selector":"#anim-7ba7a4f9-f033-4092-89dd-728552ff63e9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0a46b4d-6d77-407b-b5a4-101fefb7c3a3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 162.724%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e32cb01-3e67-4d98-963f-ff870395a399","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b9588ec8-02d3-4efb-8d1c-64d9b9fd29ac","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -111.1955%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c5fee9d2-82f6-4830-abe3-d7444c7adee6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9ebd2f5-1811-426e-959a-6128b31f3f57","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source Colchester Zoological Society Representative Image

Atlanta was the sun worshipper of the group, she loved snoozing in the sun," recalled Lead Keeper Lizzie Durkin about the mid-20s sea lion.

[{"selector":"#anim-8d83a6a0-4685-4da6-b6c0-2e8953cfee62","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83b361be-abfc-406c-9b2f-45c8214ece22","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.58885%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-085a5076-c904-49af-baf8-6ec707adf76b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-049ece2c-c01d-4739-b329-e3ac541f1762","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(112.34177%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c36d9465-c6a1-45d5-ae47-abb6960ac3b7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11952023-4808-41fb-960d-639b32a8070e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source Colchester Zoological Society Representative Image

Atlanta's distinctive big eyes and longest whiskers made her stand out among the Patagonian sea lions at the zoo's saltwater Playa Patagonia habitat.

[{"selector":"#anim-b3c878bf-835b-4d88-b6d0-eb52e3d81432","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1d9d09b2-cdfd-4f41-b730-20d9a19a1c84","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 162.724%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-beeaf3e2-0fdd-4877-bac0-a5bbbe2ffafb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60f93a8a-92d9-4349-82ff-a07248a31c62","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a8af90b-8615-4bfe-be6f-53309788c2af","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c390b0f-e8b1-4635-8f86-9a12f1f05f5d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Colchester Zoological Society Representative Image

Having arrived in November 2003, Atlanta spent most of her life entertaining visitors at Colchester Zoo before her unexpected passing.

[{"selector":"#anim-ec403944-b839-49fb-adac-6c4ca8694b62","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17f5c1ca-45a9-4c45-9459-c035c525afee","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.02864%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7373b67f-00d1-4b7e-8627-ea19a2c9dcac","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f0eb7ec-a1ff-4d7d-ba32-ef3e98cd9a3f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.87342%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6486f5c7-a1f8-4653-a18f-b63ea81e6f8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-54c7e20a-dd71-4f10-83dc-8e383e3b9949","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source Colchester Zoological Society Representative Image

The remaining sea lions—Milan, Sydney, and Winnipeg—will be closely monitored as they adjust to the absence of their long-time companion.

[{"selector":"#anim-297a8622-7913-4f6b-8a8a-2bbb4ad02f8e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6988b9a4-e1a9-474d-80c9-942b7d41c62b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 195.52108%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c90b5da0-450b-4d8b-85cc-c651381ca93f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94b2233c-fc07-448e-96c6-41ee94d1f350","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -113.98032%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a94f4b3-560c-4e3f-bd45-d7c39820ee98","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-decdf59d-948d-4cfa-8aa6-8f508530ecdf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source -Colchester Zoological Society Representative Image

Atlanta's death follows other recent losses at the zoo, including male chimpanzee Tombe, highlighting the challenges of caring for diverse animal collections.

[{"selector":"#anim-23e880e8-4ead-46fa-ba52-ee03459b56b9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d38d37e-842c-4d8e-81b3-934a80d99236","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.02864%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5944e7f1-526d-40c1-92a9-7ffaccf0d4c2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b8ca9d6c-fa59-4806-9b1c-313052a29bbc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0a8c7be7-3510-4b89-8bc2-5b5150c42c9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-650f3545-7ba1-4802-9150-97f95f19f10c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Colchester Zoological Society Representative Image

She will be greatly missed by all of the team, and Playa Patagonia will not be the same without her," said Animal Care Team Leader Kirsty Lawman.

[{"selector":"#anim-32393548-5018-454b-bb7a-433d0775c3f6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-345b7c80-6457-4dc7-9a22-a14fd7b4e212","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.30874%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0d47cb2-6987-4900-a59c-6b5ae273789a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63334350-865c-4262-a447-5de6289a5ba4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4404cf0-b895-47c0-baf9-38cfa1073d6b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-270f4689-6d98-4059-8fbd-faabcc2d85de","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Colchester Zoological Society Representative Image

[{"selector":"#anim-9256c92d-4054-4dd5-8742-7d249b34324c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba9d59e4-9dc1-4532-87d7-e5612b9cff20","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7bbb2aa6-5d6f-4942-a98e-beac41f75592","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-71d391e2-1172-4413-a2e2-ecab470a6108","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef0a10b6-ef66-46ff-b769-ef4ff3f0937f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.2381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Google DolphinGemma AI Studies Dolphin Sounds On Pixel 9 Learn more