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Now you know what you’ll say when you leave here today

Here’s a follow-up to our recent story about the animal rights activists taking aim at Marineland in Niagara Falls, who have been dismissed by the aquatic amusement park brass as fanatical animal liberationists. Baker, a sea lion owned by the park, has died of “natural causes.”

Press release from Marineland:

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, June 11, 2013 /CNW/ – We are all saddened to report the death of our old friend, Baker the sea lion on Monday, June 10, 2013. He died of natural causes. Today we are also celebrating his amazing life. You see, Baker may have been the world’s oldest sea lion. He turned 29 in early May. In the wild sea lions live to about 10 – in Aquariums usually no more than 15. Baker almost doubled that number and that can be attributed to the wonderful care he has received through his many years at Marineland.

Let’s stop and think about that for a moment. He lived twice the average lifespan. If a human did that he or she would have been a teenager when Canada became a nation – would have witnessed the first automobiles – been astonished at flight and journeys to the moon – not to mention the creation of the internet.

During his 29 years Baker would have his own astonishing stories. How many hundreds of thousands of children came to see him through the years? How many trainers has he played with? How many truckloads of his favourite fish did he consume?

Baker spent his final years in Marineland’s retirement home for our marine mammals surrounded by old friends and constant medical attention when he needed it. For the last few years he enjoyed swimming and basking in the light and no doubt dreaming about his million memories. He deserved it.

So long old friend. It’s not going to be the same without you.

More on Baker.

(In January, Marineland wrote on its blog: “Both marks [on Baker] are very old. One is an identification tattoo placed on Baker in the United States well prior to him coming to Marineland and the other is very old.”)

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