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Sea Lion With Bone Cancer Euthanized at Tulsa Zoo

Dr. Jen Kilburn
/
Tulsa Zoo

A 23-year-old male sea lion has died at the Tulsa Zoo.

Zoo officials say Dorsey was euthanized on Tuesday after being diagnosed with bone cancer.

Officials say zoo staff had been monitoring changes in Dorsey's mobility since late last year. Through testing, its animal health team confirmed the existence of the cancer throughout the large bone of the upper flipper.

The zoo said Wednesday that experts ultimately determined Dorsey's quality of life had become significantly compromised.

Dorsey was born at and lived most of his life in the Tulsa Zoo, with a brief stay at the Oklahoma City Zoo during construction of a new habitat.