Midge the Sea Lion facts for kids
Midge the Sea Lion was a very special sea lion who lived at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Born in 1985, she became famous for her friendly personality and amazing talents. Midge was a true star, entertaining thousands of visitors and even creating unique artwork! She lived a long life, bringing joy to many, until November 5, 2010.
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Midge's Early Life and Rescue
Midge was born in 1985. When she was very young, she faced some serious health problems. She was found along the California coast and was quite sick, struggling with nutrition and breathing. Luckily, she was rescued!
In 1986, Midge was brought to the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center, a place that helps marine animals. After getting the care she needed, she was then given to the Oklahoma City Zoo. She was one of the first animals to live in the zoo's new Noble Aquatic Center: Aquaticus, which opened in 1986.
A Star at the Zoo
Midge quickly became a favorite among zoo visitors. She was known for her outgoing and friendly nature. For many years, Midge was one of the main stars of the zoo's sea lion shows. People loved watching her perform!
Midge's Unique Art
One of Midge's most surprising talents was her artwork! Yes, this sea lion was an artist. Her paintings were very popular and were even shown in art galleries in Oklahoma City. Her art helped raise money for organizations that support animals. After finishing a piece, Midge would "sign" her artwork. She would press her purple nose onto the back of the canvas, leaving a print that looked a bit like a small heart.
Sea Lion Shows and Special Kisses
Midge often performed with another sea lion named Moe. For several years, they were part of a fun show series that had a James Bond theme. Besides their amazing tricks, Midge and other sea lions were known for giving gentle "kisses" to some lucky visitors. Of course, this was always done safely with their trainers watching closely.
Midge's Later Years
As Midge got older, her health began to decline. She started losing weight and needed special care from the zoo staff. After careful consideration, a team of animal trainers, curators, and veterinarians made the difficult decision to humanely end her suffering. Midge was euthanized on November 5, 2010.
Dwight Scott, the zoo's Executive Director, shared how important Midge was. He said, "Midge has been a wonderful ambassador for the zoo by educating and entertaining hundreds of thousands of people about sea lions, conservation and the environment. She will be missed by many." Midge was cremated, and tissue samples were taken to help zoo pathologists understand more about her illness.
