10/23/2026
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Sam, our beloved 12-year-old male California sea lion, on October 6.
Sam's connection to Moody Gardens began before he was even born. After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, his father, Porter, and four other sea lions from the Audubon Zoo found a temporary home here for two years while their habitat was repaired. The sea lions later returned to New Orleans, and Porter eventually moved to the Utica Zoo in New York, where Sam was born.
In June 2016, two-year-old Sam came to Moody Gardens and grew into the lovable sea lion so many of you knew. If you visited the Aquarium Pyramid, chances are you heard Sam before you ever saw him. His famous bark often greeted guests the moment they walked through the doors, and he always had something to say. When his trainers worked behind the scenes, he could often be found leaning against the gate, watching their every move. At times he was a little too smart for his own good, and he kept his keepers on their toes every single day.
California sea lions are found along the Pacific coast from Vancouver, Canada, to Baja California, Mexico, and are federally protected in the United States under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Sam passed peacefully while under anesthesia during a medical procedure, surrounded by the team who cared for him. Our animal care team is continuing to review his health to learn all we can as we await the results of a necropsy.
We know many of our guests will miss Sam as much as we do. If you have a favorite photo or memory of him, we invite you to share it in the comments as we celebrate his life together. 💙
