LONG BEACH (AP) — One of the most popular animals at Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific, a blind sea lion named Odin, has died unexpectedly.

Aquarium officials said Monday a necropsy is being performed.

Odin was found stranded, sightless and malnourished as a pup on Zuma Beach in 2006. A park spokesman says Odin died Sunday after a sudden onset of tremors.

Because the young sea lion showed no sign of illness, had been eating well and passed recent physical exams, the necropsy was ordered.

Aquarium spokesman Perry Hampton says from the beginning, Odin was popular with the other animals and staff, mostly because he was so smart and so willing to learn despite his handicap.

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