NO TRACE OF POISON

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 207, 29 May 1936, Page 8

NO TRACE OF POISON

« Inquiry Into Sea-lion’s Death Concludes ANALYST’S REPORT Three weeks’ research by analytical chemists litis failed to reveal any trace of poison in the mortal remains of Joey the sea-lion. Since the animal died at Newtown Zoo on May 6, the Department of Agriculture analyst at the Dominion laboratory has been conducting investigations into specimens taken at an autopsy, but has found nothing abnormal. Yesterday the Government veterinary officer, Mr. 11. Le Souef, reported to'this effect to the town clerk. Mr. E. P. Norman. Mr. Norman said that no formal statement was being issued, but that Mr. Le Souef had told him the analysis had produced no evidence of poisoning. At the same time he had added that indications showed the sea-lion to have vomited in dying, and it might in this way have rid itself of the poison.. To “The Dominion,” Mr. Le Souef said he had attended the autopsy on Joev solely in the role of a spectator. Colonel A. IL Young had performed the dissection and bad concluded that the sea-lion had been poisoned. The Department of Agriculture, although it had undertaken the analysis of the specimens, was not concerned with making any report on the manner of the sea-lion’s death. The controversy that has raged around the sea-lion’s unsolicited arrival at Dunedin, his subsequent captivity and internment at Newtown and his unfortunate demise, appears unlikely to be satisfactorily closed. As his remains have been cremated, not even his skin being preserved to be mounted, he leaves no memorial of his brief sojourn, and the mystery of the St. Clair sea-lion seems destined to remain unsolved. _______