On Thursday, SeaWorld San Diego shared the sad news of the passing of "Freeway," the well-known rescued sea lion, on their social media channels. The sea lion had been suffering from an unidentified progressive disease since last year, which caused his health to significantly decline. Ultimately, the SeaWorld team decided to humanely euthanize him, in what they described as an "extremely difficult, but compassionate decision."

"Freeway" gained widespread attention when he ventured onto a California highway, causing traffic to slow to a crawl, as reported by CBS San Diego. This was not his first escapade, as he had previously been rescued from another highway several months before.

According to a statement from SeaWorld officials, the sea lion had a history of appearing in various locations throughout San Diego. Among his many adventures, "Freeway" had been found near the airport on Harbor Island Drive, on the boardwalk, by a deli in Mission Bay, and at the Navy Base in Point Loma.

SeaWorld honored "Freeway's" memory, stating, "His adventurous spirit won the hearts of all San Diegans and he will be remembered for that and so much more."