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Milo, the famous Vancouver sea otter, takes his final bow

Milo, the Vancouver Aquarium sea otter that captured millions of hits and hearts on YouTube, has gone to the big ocean in the sky after losing his battle with lymphoma.

As the CBC notes, the 12-year-old marine mammal became an internet sensation after a visitor to the aquarium posted a video of Milo holding hands (well, webbed paws) with a female sea otter as they leisurely floated on their backs in the water.

Since the video was uploaded in 2007, it has gone on to attract nearly 17 million views.

Milo continued to draw in the crowds until aquarium staff noticed last summer that he appeared more lethargic than usual. Shortly afterward, he was diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the immune system, and began chemotherapy to battle the disease.

"He was the very first live sea otter diagnosed with lymphoma. He was also the very first sea otter that I'm aware of that had chemotherapy," said aquarium veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena in a CBC interview, adding that a team of specialists collaborated to create the unique chemo treatment especially for Milo.

"We worked with a lot of people around the world creating a very special plan for him, including some very, very novel treatments and I think we did very well by him."

Although lymphoma has been traced in wild otters found in California, Milo became the first living sea otter to receive treatment for the condition. He initially responded well to the chemotherapy, but it didn't save his life in the end.

After Milo was euthanized on Wednesday, the aquarium said it would miss the dearly loved pal, but took comfort in knowing he was no longer suffering.

"He was one of our emblematic animals who was loved by staff, volunteers, members and people worldwide. Our team—especially those who worked closely with Milo during the past months to provide specialized care while he was receiving treatment—are saddened by his death, but take solace in his peaceful departure," the released statement read.

Milo's video swimming partner, Nyac, a 20-year-old female rescued from the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster in 1988, died of leukemia in 2008.

YouTube users rushed to post their final farewells, thanking Milo for the brief spot of happiness his video had provided them. A few even suggested that Milo and Nyac were finally back together, maybe even holding hands once again.