Northern elephant seal at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium dies

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has announced the death of a northern elephant seal.

The Zoo says Ellie Mae was only one of two northern elephant seals that were cared for by humans.

Ellie Mae was found on a California beach in 2017 malnourished. Vets found she wasn’t able to hunt on her own. She was then sent to the Pittsburgh Zoo’s Water’s Edge habitat.

“The Zoo’s husbandry and Animal Health teams offered the highest quality care during her years with us, but unfortunately, her preexisting conditions left her in a compromised state,” the Zoo said in a statement.

The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world. At one time, it was thought species was extinct but due to protective measures, there are around 160,000 in the wild.

“Ellie Mae would not have survived her initial setbacks in the wild without human intervention,” added the Zoo. “The Zoo is honored to have given Ellie Mae a second chance. Guests are welcome to share their fond memories of Ellie Mae here on social media.”