EL PASO, Texas (AP) - An ailing 26-year-old California sea lion at a West Texas zoo has died.

The El Paso Zoo on Monday announced the death of Sunny.

Authorities say Sunny died Sunday in a behind-the-scenes pool where he was being monitored by zookeepers. Officials say Sunny had not been exhibited for the past couple of weeks due to age-related medical issues.

No specific cause of death was immediately provided for Sunny, who was born June 12, 1986, at the zoo. The animal was featured in ocean conservation displays for more than 15 years.

The sea lion exhibit closed Monday amid word of the death of Sunny. The display featuring a 14-year-old sea lion named Sushi reopens Tuesday.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)