STILL IN DOUBT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 8

STILL IN DOUBT

Cause of Joey’s Death Not Yet Known Allhough a full fortnight has elapsed since the death, at Newtown Zoo. of Joey, the Dunedin sea-lion, the exact cause of the animal’s death is not yet known. The town clerk. Mr. E. I.’. Nornmn. told “The Dominion'’ yesterday Hint as yet he had received no report about lite analyst investigating the matter. Joey died on May 6. and an autopsy took place that morning. Colonel A. It. Young, the veterinary surgeon who performed the post-mortem examination, and Mr. J. Langridge, zoo curator, both expressed the opinion that the sea-lion was poisoned. Mr. 11. Le Sottef, Government veterinary officer, who was also present at the autopsy, declined to ex-press an opinion. Specimens were taken for analysis, and were handed by the Government veterinary Io I lie Department: of Agriculture analyst, at the Dominion Laboratory. Preliminary tests, completed the day after I lie sealion's demise, revealed no indication of poison. Further samples were taken, with Hie object of making more exhaustive researches. So far no discoveries have been announced, and inquiries as to when Hie investigations would be completed have elicited no definite response. The town clerk, who last 'Thursday stated that he expected a report on Monday or Tuesday, bad yesterday no further information at hand. The Agricultural Department chemist at the Dominion Laboratory said that be was not empowered to'make a statement of the subject. The cause of Joey's death is one of considerable interest, as a great many people had previously prophesied that lie would not live long in captivity.