Liberec Zoo sea lion Hugo dies after swallowing doll head thrown into pool
A 17-year-old South American sea lion named Hugo died overnight at Liberec Zoo after ingesting part of a toy, staff confirmed following an autopsy.
A 17-year-old South American sea lion named Hugo died overnight on Saturday at Liberec Zoo after swallowing the head of a doll. An autopsy discovered the foreign object in the animal's digestive tract, two days after zoo workers retrieved the rest of the doll from the pool.
Spokesperson Barbora Tesařová stated that laboratory testing remains underway, with full details to follow on Monday.
A foreign body very likely caused the processes that led to Hugo's death. However, we are still waiting for the results of laboratory tests on the samples taken.
Hugo was the only sea lion at the facility. Liberec Zoo has kept South American sea lions since 1975, hosting more than 20 individuals across five decades. Following the incident, zoologists began arranging the arrival of new sea lions and planning upgrades to the pavilion. The zoo also renewed its appeal to visitors, urging the public not to feed animals or throw items into enclosures, and to report any hazards to staff immediately.
