Govind Tekale
Colchester Zoo is grieving the loss of Atlanta, a much-loved Patagonian sea lion who died on Sunday, April 13, 2025. The sea lion passed away in the early morning hours after her health suddenly worsened over the weekend.
Atlanta had been under close veterinary care in recent weeks, receiving blood tests, X-rays, and continuous monitoring by the zoo’s consultant veterinary team. Despite these efforts, veterinarians were unable to determine the exact cause of her declining health before she died.
“It is always difficult when an animal passes away, especially one with a big personality that has been at the Zoo for so many years,” the zoo stated in their announcement.
Atlanta arrived at Colchester Zoo in November 2003 and spent more than two decades as a resident. In her mid-20s at the time of her death, she had lived most of her life at the zoo’s Playa Patagonia habitat, which features a large saltwater pool and a 24-meter underwater viewing tunnel for visitors.
Keepers who worked closely with Atlanta remember her fondly for her distinctive personality and habits. Lizzie Durkin, a Lead Keeper who cared for Atlanta, recalled her love of warm weather: “Atlanta was the sun worshipper of the group. She loved snoozing in the sun and would be the first out of the pool to relax on the beach as soon as the weather got warmer.”
Kirsty Lawman, Team Leader of the Animal Care Team, highlighted Atlanta’s engagement with zoo activities: “Atlanta was a unique character within our group of Patagonian sea lions. She loved getting involved in enrichment feeds and joining in training sessions with the team.”
Lawman also noted Atlanta’s distinctive physical features: “She had the biggest eyes and longest whiskers out of all of the sea lions. She will be greatly missed by all of the team, and Playa Patagonia will not be the same without her.”
Patagonian sea lions in the wild typically live between 20 and 30 years, placing Atlanta within the normal lifespan range for her species. These marine mammals are native to South America, as mentioned in one of the articles about Atlanta’s passing.
The remaining sea lions at Colchester Zoo—Milan, Sydney, and Winnipeg—will likely miss their companion. The zoo stated, “We have no doubt that our remaining group of sea lions will miss their beloved friend, Atlanta, but the Animal Care Team will be on hand to help them recover from this sad loss.”
Atlanta’s death follows other recent losses at Colchester Zoo, including male chimpanzee Tombe. These events highlight the realities and challenges of caring for diverse animal collections in zoological settings.
For many regular visitors to Colchester Zoo, Atlanta was a familiar presence who had been at the zoo for over 20 years. Her passing marks the end of an era for the zoo’s Playa Patagonia exhibit.
The zoo expressed gratitude for public support during this difficult time and acknowledged the impact on staff members who had worked with Atlanta throughout her long residency: “Our thoughts are with all of our Animal Care Team who have had the pleasure of working with her.”
