It is with great sadness that we share the news that our last two beloved sea lions, Sydney and Milan, have passed away peacefully following the decision to put them to sleep on Friday 6th March 2026 in the interest of their welfare.
Both Sydney and Milan had reached a geriatric age and had been under regular and close supervision by our veterinary team. As with Winnipeg, who we said farewell to earlier this year, the decision was made compassionately and in the best interests of their quality of life. While we are proud of the exceptional care we are able to provide older animals here, there comes a time when continuing to do so would cause them to suffer — and that is something we are never willing to accept.
Sydney and Milan both built irreplaceable bonds with the Animal Care Team over the years, particularly those who had the privilege of working alongside them day in, day out. Losing an animal is like saying goodbye to a member of the family, and this is a truly devastating loss for everyone at CZS. Our thoughts are very much with the team during this incredibly sad time.
Sydney
Sydney was the sensible one — brilliant at her training and always eager to learn something new. She had an incredible energy and was at her happiest during a one-to-one session with her keepers, though she was equally capable of being the most stubborn animal in the habitat when the mood took her! The rest of the group had always naturally gravitated towards her, following her lead and seeking out her company, and it was easy to understand why — Sydney had the kind of presence that made everyone feel at ease.
She lived for the summer months and could almost always be found basking on her favourite rock, a spot her keepers lovingly named ‘Sydney’s Armchair’. She carried out everything with absolute confidence and was never shy about showing off. Sydney had one motto in life: everything you can do, I can do better.
Milan
Milan was, quite simply, the golden girl. On a sunny day, her blonde coat would catch the light beautifully and she would shine. She was the shyest of the group — cautious of anything new and particularly wary of wasps — but as she got older, she grew braver and watching that quiet confidence develop in her was one of the great joys of working with her.
Milan moved entirely at her own pace — her keepers often joked she operated at the speed of a snail — and she had a wonderful way of going about her day. She loved foraging along the bottom of the pool and could often be spotted throwing toys across the water. She had the most beautiful, soulful eyes, and a truly unique vocalisation that her team affectionately described as resembling Homer Simpson mid-burp. It was entirely Milan’s own, and it will be very sorely missed.
Sydney and Milan are truly irreplaceable, and they will be deeply missed by every member of the team who was lucky enough to know and care for them, and of course the huge number of visitors and supporters that fell in love with them over the years.
