Star sea lion at St. Louis Zoo dies

ST. LOUIS -- A star sea lion at the St. Louis Zoo has died.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Bennie the sea lion died Friday. He was 11.

Zoo spokeswoman Susan Gallagher says tests will be done to determine the cause of death. She says the sea lion had been lethargic and eating poorly for days.

Bennie was born at the zoo's Sea Lion Basin in 2002 and was part of the Sea Lion Show for seven years. He was known for kissing onlookers, including movie stars and Cardinals ballplayers.

Bennie was in a 2012 television ad announcing the opening of the zoo's Sea Lion Sound. The ad won a Brass Ring Award.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com