Noni loved playing with bubbles and splashing around in water, and zookeepers often joked about needing to get her a hot tub for her habitat, officials said.

It is why splashing it for 'sportswashing' purposes, according to some critics, seems so worthwhile to the Saudis.

“It’s so simple, just splashing about in the water, playing with the waves pushing against you, he just loves that and he loves you to be there with him.”

Water quickly overwhelmed the beachside bar where she works - the Bridge Tender Inn Dockside & Tiki Bar - with waves splashing the sign and chunks of seaweed clumped near tables.

"All of a sudden we were amazed to see a baby beaver splashing about in the water."