Freeway the wandering sea lion of southern California has already died, it was reported by local authorities in recent days. Known for wandering the streets of San Diego, the adventurous marine mammal contracted a disease which forced authorities to use mercy killing on him to end his prolonged struggle, according to reports.
The animal gained popularity last year when it was spotted in different locations across the California city. Dubbed as "Freeway the wayward sea lion," local officials first rescued the animal at Harbor Island Driver near the San Diego airport in November 2021.
Afterward, Freeway has been returning to human-populated areas significantly away from its coastal habitat several times, a story which was also covered by Nature World News in May 2022. The recurring escapades of the sea lion prompted SeaWorld officials last year to put Freeway on shelter, were they still considered of releasing him again in the wild.
Freeway the Sea Lion Dies
Freeway has been euthanized due to failure to recover despite receiving extensive treatment after falling ill, which caused his health to deteriorate, according to a statement by SeaWorld, as cited by The Associated Press on Tuesday, April 25.
The decision to humanely euthanize the marine creature was made by SeaWorld, which added the "adventurous spirit" of Freeway captured the hearts of all San Diegans, AP News reported.
In relation to sea lion's illness, SeaWorld did not mention the name of the disease or its cause, CBS News said. However, what is only certain is that Freeway contracted the unspecified medical condition over the past year, which forced his caretakers to make a tough yet compassionate decision.
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San Diego Freeway Sea Lion
Freeway stormed the headlines when he first wandered along a California highway and halted road traffic movement, in an area located several miles from the Pacific Ocean, CBS San Diego reported. In particular, the aquatic creature stumbled on the state Route 94 in the city's Stockton area. This led California Highway Patrol officers and SeaWorld staff to rescue the animal.
Drivers along the busy Sand Diego highway helped stop incoming traffic at that time to allow the creature traverse the lanes. The local media reported of a cellphone video that shows two people helping the sea lion to leave the freeway.
The state's patrol unit arrived shortly after the motorists halted the traffic while SeaWorld rescuers were on their way.
California Sea Lions
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are known for making the shallow waters of the eastern North Pacific Ocean as their habitat, where they prefer sandy beaches or rocky or rocky bays for breeding, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Along the West Coast, California sea lion populations range from southeast Alaska and into the Pacific coast of central Mexico, with major population areas being divided into three: United States, western Baja California, and Gulf of California, the NOAA says.
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