St. Louis Zoo: Seals Probably Died from Stress

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• Related: Third Harbor Seal Bound for St. Louis Zoo Dies

Posted: Friday, July 20, 2012 12:40 pm

St. Louis Zoo: Seals Probably Died from Stress Associated Press |

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Zoo says three harbor seals that died in June while moving to the zoo from Canada likely died from stress caused by the trip.

Zoo officials say in a news release that multiple factors caused the deaths but the main problem was myopathy, or muscle disease, which can develop under stress. One seal survived the trip and has joined the zoo's seal display.

Eric Miller, the zoo's director of zoological operations, says investigators found no evidence of heat stress in the seals.

The seals came from Storybook Gardens, a theme park in London, Ontario.

Zoo officials also say there was an identity mix-up involving a dead seal and the survivor. Nunavut, who was listed among the dead in June, is alive. Nunavut's father, Peanut, died.

© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Posted in State on Friday, July 20, 2012 12:40 pm.