Evening star., 1895-10-25
KILLED BY THE EXPLOSION
The Sea Lion at the zoo Dies From the
Effect Of Oonoussion.
A Great Loss to the Park-An Unus-
ualIy Large and Fine Animal
An Elk Also Dead.

The handsome sea lion at the geological
Park is dead, and his death is supposed to
be due to the accidental explosion of dyna-
mite, which occurred in the park Wednes-
day, which shook the whole city and made
some people imagine 1t was an earthquake
This is the only fatality that has been
traced to the accidental explosion. To the
Zoo the loss is about the greatest that 1t
could sustain in the death Of any individ-
ual animal. He was regarded as one of the
finest specimens in captivity, and for two
years has been admired by almost every
visitor to the place. Whit increased his
value to the park officials was the fact
that he was the only animal of it's kind
belonging to the place, and for this reason
he received considerable extra attention.
The lion was kent in a small lake near
the bridge which crosses Fock creek, and
Just across from the den of the polar bear.
The dimensions of the lake were small,
but 1t was sufficient for the sea lion to
disport in. The whole was inclosed by a
small fence to prevent the visitors from
getting too close to the water edge. This
was the home mad, for the lion when it
was first secured, and for two summers he
has occupied 1t.
When the Explosion Occurred.
The explosion occurred, about 200 feet
frim the home of the sea lion. The ami
mails in the Zoo were particularly fright
ened, and the keeper In the main building
Stated to Star reporter that even the
snakes were aroused and the rattlesnakes
sounded their rattles in threatening and
ominous manner. This is the second time
the snakes have been heard to use their
rattles since being in confinement.
The sea lion was located nearer to the
spot where the explosion occurred than
any other animal in the Zoo, and it Is sup
thof 1F =.
jured him internally. He was thought to
be uninjured until in the afternoon, when
Keeper Blackburn went out to feed him.
He refused food, and his general listless
the animal was sick. Seeing that the case
needed immediate attention he summoned
help. and the lion was tendeE3y lifted up
and carried to his winter home, which is
In the antelope house. Here the beast was
doetored, but to no avail, and In the morn
ing he was found dead. His death is at
tributed to the explosion but to satisfy
themselves, DR.. Baker. assisted by Drs
STYLES; Dawson and Palmer of the Agricul-
tural Department, held a post-mortem ex-
animation yesterday. Thts examina ton
showed conclusivey that death resulted
from conclusion. The animal was skinned
ana the peit sent to the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition where it Will be mounted after life
The sea lion was secured by the Zoo
people about two years ago A circus man
who was then at Norfolk foundit difficult
mater " carry tne aQuAQC beast around
with him, and he made ogertures to the
Geological Park for an exchange. The
result was that one of the antelopes was
forwarded in exchange, and the new prize
watched with care. The lion was an un-
usually large and fine animal and weighed
as much as an ordinary man.
Another Death.
The park also lost another of its attrac-
tions Tuesday, a member of the herd of
elks shuffiing off his mortal coil He had
been sick for some time, and, according to
the diagnosis of the veterinarian, he was
suffering from peritonitis. How the ami
NAL became sick can only be conjectured,
but 1t is thought that the disease was
caused by injuries received from the other
animals in the herd. DIR. Dawson of the
Agricultural Department held a post-mor-
tenn examination the day: of the death of
the animal, and the skin was sent down to
the Smithsonian to be stuffed and mounted.
One OF the new attractions at the park is
cage of snakes, which, have Just been
placed on exhibition. The park authori-
ties have, as stated In The Star secured
the loan of handsome collection of rep
tiles. and, while one cage is full, the work
men at the park are busily engaged in
constructing another one to accommodate
all on hand. There are some particularly
fine specimens of the Gila monsters and
many of the other snakes in the collection
are the largest that have probably ever
been seen In this section of the country.