Hondo the Sea Lion Dies at Sea World

Hondo, a half-ton California sea lion exiled with two compatriots to Sea World of Florida in May for gobbling too many steelhead trout at the Ballard Locks in Seattle, has died apparently from an infection. Details about the death may not be known for up to six weeks, pending test results from a necropsy, said Becca Bides, a spokeswoman for Sea World in Orlando, Fla. Sea World veterinarians said they do not expect the illness to be contagious to the other sea lions at the Pacific Point Preserve attraction at the park.