National

Beloved 17-year-old sea lion with booming voice and heart nose dies at CA aquarium

Harpo the sea lion died at age 17 at an aquarium in California, officials said.
Harpo the sea lion died at age 17 at an aquarium in California, officials said. Screengrab from @Aquariumpacific on TikTok

A sea lion named the “loudest” in a California aquarium after going viral on TikTok has died, officials said.

The “goofy” and “gentle” creature died on June 29 at the age of 17, Aquarium of the Pacific officials said in a June 30 news release.

Harpo, a California sea lion that arrived at the aquarium in Long Beach at 1 year old in 2007, started experiencing symptoms of movement issues, lethargy and decreased appetite in May, officials said.

@aquariumpacific We are mourning the loss of Harpo, the California sea lion. Harpo passed away on the evening of Thursday, June 29, 2023, at seventeen years old. Harpo had been exhibiting signs of reduced appetite, lethargy, and mobility issues and had been receiving specialized care since his symptoms first started in May. Despite extensive tests to determine what was causing Harpo symptoms, test results had been within normal ranges and had not revealed further information about the cause of his symptoms. In the coming days, the Aquarium’s veterinary team and outside veterinary specialists will conduct a necropsy exam to try and determine a cause. Harpo arrived at the Aquarium in 2007. He was born at another Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institution. Aquarium staff had raised him since he was a one-year-old and watched him grow over the years. “Harpo was loved for what our team calls his sweet and goofy personality that put people and even other animals at ease. Harpo would make people smile as he would interact with staff or with guests. Due to his gentle nature, he was often the first one new sea lions and seals would meet when they would join the habitat, including a baby seal who was born here. We will miss him so much,” said Brett Long, senior director of mammals and birds. California sea lions are marine mammals found off the eastern North Pacific from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, south to Baja California, Mexico. Female California sea lions have a lifespan of 18-25 years. That of males is slightly less. #aquariumofthepacific #sealion #harpo Piano melody for loved ones(1258931) - naopapa

“In our first viral TikTok, Harpo earned his own fan club after being the loudest sea lion at the aquarium,” an employee said in July 8 TikTok.

@aquariumpacific Reply to @_its_lulu_.xo | Leave your questions for next week’s edition of #AskAOP! #LearnOnTikTok #TikTokPartner #aquariumofthepacific Sea Lions are LOUD Aquarium of the Pacific - Aquarium of the Pacific

The video, posted in 2020 with more than 12.8 million views, shows Harpo and his buddies having a sing-off to determine who should be crowned the “loudest.”

Harpo, an “amazing ambassador for his species,” kept fans wanting more with his “goofy personality, sweet demeanor and heart-shaped nose,” the video said.

The animal was known for his “gentle nature, he was often the first one new sea lions and seals would meet when they would join the habitat,” Brett Long, senior director of mammals and birds at the aquarium, said in the release.

@aquariumpacific Please clap for Harpo #hisnameis #sealion #aquariumofthepacific original sound - ice cream sandwich

Harpo had been receiving “specialized care” since his symptoms started, including medicine, fluids, vet visits, full-body scans and ultrasounds, officials said.

Although his previous test results came back normal, the aquarium plans to perform an autopsy to determine his exact cause of death, the aquarium said.

McClatchy News reached out to the aquarium July 9 and is awaiting a response

“We’ll miss you terribly Harpo,” the TikTok said. “Our sea lion choir won’t sound the same without you.”

Long Beach is about 25 miles south of Los Angeles.

Read Next
Read Next
Read Next

This story was originally published July 9, 2023 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Beloved 17-year-old sea lion with booming voice and heart nose dies at CA aquarium."

PC
Paloma Chavez
McClatchy DC
Paloma Chavez is a reporter covering real-time news on the West Coast. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Southern California.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER