Chaffee Zoo loses member of sea lion family to Valley Fever

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A sea lion named Catalina has been at the zoo for the past six years and came here with a flipper injury as a rescued sea lion.

The eight-year-old died unexpectedly on Saturday as a result of Valley Fever. Zookeeper's found Catalina unresponsive in the Sea Lion Cove.

Within minutes, medical crews arrived and attempted CPR for an hour, but were unable to save her.

Now they are monitoring the three other sea lions left at the exhibit.

"We have had it in the zoo, but not for several years. It's not something we see routinely especially not in marine mammals. It's pretty uncommon, so it took us by surprise she wasn't showing symptoms at all. Everything happened suddenly, it was definitely a shock for us," said Shannon Nodolf, Chief Vet Officer at Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

The zoo has seen cases of Valley Fever before but not for several years.

They plan on monitoring all the other animals and doing routine testing.