NIAGARA FALLS, ON, June 8, 2017 /CNW/ - An independent veterinary necropsy has determined that Marineland's beloved walrus, Sonja, died following the sudden rupture of a very rare abdominal aneurysm.
It appears likely that Sonja was born with this rare condition.
Throughout her life Sonja received regular veterinary checkups and was under veterinary care at the time she passed away.
The nature and location of the aneurysm made it effectively impossible to detect and without any realistic method of treatment following a rupture.
Sadly, major emergency invasive surgery was never an option for Sonja given the nature and location of the aneurysm or its sudden rupture in a walrus weighing almost two thousand pounds.
Word of her death struck the park community hard, both the marine mammal care team and those visitors to Marineland that have enjoyed spending time with and learning from Sonja.
Marineland would like to thank kind members of the public who have expressed their condolences to our marine mammal team and who have sent their best wishes and continued health to all the park's cherished residents.
Pursuant to the strict new Ontario Marine Mammal Regulations, a full report regarding Sonja's death is being forwarded to the Marineland Animal Care Committee for its review.
SOURCE Marineland
Marineland, Marketing Department, Email: [email protected], Phone: 905-356-2142
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