The Passing of Minazo the LOLRUS, 1994-2005

[J.Cordeiro]

This probably does not mean much to most of you, but I just learned that Minazo, or LOLRUS, as he was known to his fans, had passed away quite a while ago. I had recently been introduced to his antics and was becoming quite a fan.
Now I am sad.

? [-- login to view link --] died at 5:15 pm on October 4, 2005. He was 11
years old, still young for an elephant seal whose life expectancy is 20
years on average.
Minazo was raised at the [-- login to view link --] With a
strong build, 5 meters in height and 2 tons in weight, he was the only
male [-- login to view link --] in Japan.
Director Yukiko Hori said in her book "The Story of An Aquarium"
(published by Iwanami Shoten) that Minazo was brought to Japan from
Uruguay in 1995. His name, which consists of three kanji characters
meaning "beautiful", "male", and "elephant", was chosen from 1,500
public suggestions.
The aquarium had raised male and female elephant seals called Daikichi
and Omiya, who had been brought from the Antarctic island of South
Georgia in 1964.
After they died in 1977 and 1979, specimens were made
using their skins, which are currently displayed at the aquarium. Hori
said that the previous experience with the two seals was of help in
raising Minazo.
Minazo ( - - blocked - - ) popular through TV appearances. He was once introduced on
a variety show as a look-alike for wrestler Bob Sapp, an insult to Minazo.
Elephant seals have far greater strength than humans, and can even crush a car when they get really mad. Bob would have been beaten in a second.?
- Masami Akita, Tokyo 2006 (Edited for content.)