Aquarium of Niagara announces passing of California sea lion Arie

From second chance to social media stardom, Arie connected millions to plight of rescued/nonreleasable marine mammals 

Aquarium of Niagara press release & photo

The Aquarium of Niagara is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its rescued California sea lion, Arie.

The Aquarium of Niagara’s veterinarians, in cooperation with the animal care staff, made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize the 18-year-old sea lion earlier this week after a short period of declining health. Diagnostic testing revealed a large mass in her abdomen, which a postmortem necropsy confirmed to be metastatic cancer. 

The median life expectancy for a female California sea lion is between 19-22 years.

Rescued not once, but three times off the coast of California as a young pup, Arie came to the Aquarium of Niagara in 2009 after authorities deemed she would be unable to survive if returned to the wild. From 2016-19, she lived at Brookfield Zoo Chicago as part of a collective breeding effort orchestrated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. There, she gave birth to a male pup, Taylor.

Upon returning to the Aquarium of Niagara, Arie became an instant favorite among staff and guests alike. Known for her easygoing and goofy personality, Arie charmed the masses both online and in person. In 2024, an Aquarium of Niagara-produced TikTok video featuring Arie went viral, and she became an instant social media star, amassing more than 200 million views within days. Arie’s name became a cryptocurrency, and her likeness was immortalized by British artist and content creator Indi Pine as a “Knight of the Rotund Table.” At the time of her passing, Arie-specific videos had nearly 300 million views across TikTok and Instagram, through which this charismatic animal ambassador shared the stories of rescued and rehabilitated marine mammals to countless people around the world.

Despite her laid-back nature, Arie was also incredibly smart. Working with her dedicated animal care team, Arie excelled at learning both high-energy behaviors and those associated with husbandry. She was a voluntary participant in her own healthcare, the Aquarium of Niagara’s daily sea lion presentations, the “Trainer for a Day” program, and public encounters.

"Arie had a remarkable ability to resonate with people," said Chad Fifer, president and CEO, Aquarium of Niagara. "Whether you saw her during a presentation or discovered her through social media, Arie inspired you to care about aquatic animals and the challenges they face in their natural environment. We are heartbroken by her loss, but we are grateful for the lasting impact she made on guests, staff and supporters around the world.”

"Arie touched the lives of everyone who worked with her," said Hallie Torre, curator of marine mammals and birds. "Many of us spent years caring for her, celebrating milestones, learning from her, and building a relationship based on trust and mutual respect. That relationship allowed us to provide exceptional care throughout her life, and it was a privilege to be part of her journey. She will be deeply missed."

In celebration of Arie's life, the Aquarium of Niagara invites the public to share their photos and memories via the venue’s social media channels. 

Visit aquariumofniagara.org.