Fifth Dolphin in 19 Months Dies at Florida Aquarium
Allo Trends Morning Breaking News
2023-10-06
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Fifth Dolphin in 19 Months Dies at Florida Aquarium.
Another dolphin died at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Monday, three months after the nonprofit commissioned an outside panel of experts to review a recent spate of fatalities.
The passing of 4-year-old Apollo marked the fifth dolphin to die in 19 months at the facility, which rescues sick and injured marine animals and exhibits those that cannot be released back to the wild. In the previous 20 years, from 2001 to 2021, three dolphins died at the aquarium.
When 8-year-old Rex died in March — the last before Apollo — CEO Joe Handy said it was not a reflection of internal issues but a matter of unfortunate timing because two of the recent losses were older dolphins that lived past their life expectancy.
However, the facility confirmed on March 28 it had hired five outside veterinarians and animal care experts to review “habitats, water quality, veterinary care, animal welfare and environmental impact” to ensure it was meeting a high standard of care.
Handy did not respond to a request for comment Monday to confirm whether that review had been completed.
The aquarium announced Apollo’s death in a statement on its website and social media, in which chief zoological officer James “Buddy” Powell said the welfare of its animals has “always been our top priority.”
“Apollo was a beloved member of our CMA family, and his passing has left a void in our hearts,” Powell said. “This serves as a reminder of the profound impact these animals have on our lives and the importance of our conservation efforts. We will continue to learn from Apollo’s life.”
The dolphin arrived at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2021 after being found stranded in Playalinda Beach with hearing loss, parasites and lung inflammation.
According to the aquarium’s statement, Apollo began showing “signs of discomfort” in March. The veterinary and animal care teams monitored Apollo’s diet and regimen, and he was showing signs of progress until Monday morning.
A necropsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death, according to the statement.
Apollo’s death leaves five dolphins at the aquarium, with the most recent, Rosie, arriving last month. Over the past 15 years, the population has fluctuated between three and six.
The average life expectancy of captive dolphins in high-quality facilities is 20 to 25 years, according to Naomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist with the Animal Welfare Institute. In a previous interview with the Tampa Bay Times, she said that is similar to the average lifespan in wild “industrialized environments” with threats of boats, entanglements and pollution.
Dolphins in captivity are more prone to certain diseases, Rose said, likely due to not having the diverse diet and activity levels they do in the wild.
The spate of deaths at Clearwater Marine Aquarium has occurred amid 19 months of transition, with three CEO changes, staff turnover and declining visitor attend
Another dolphin died at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Monday, three months after the nonprofit commissioned an outside panel of experts to review a recent spate of fatalities.
The passing of 4-year-old Apollo marked the fifth dolphin to die in 19 months at the facility, which rescues sick and injured marine animals and exhibits those that cannot be released back to the wild. In the previous 20 years, from 2001 to 2021, three dolphins died at the aquarium.
When 8-year-old Rex died in March — the last before Apollo — CEO Joe Handy said it was not a reflection of internal issues but a matter of unfortunate timing because two of the recent losses were older dolphins that lived past their life expectancy.
However, the facility confirmed on March 28 it had hired five outside veterinarians and animal care experts to review “habitats, water quality, veterinary care, animal welfare and environmental impact” to ensure it was meeting a high standard of care.
Handy did not respond to a request for comment Monday to confirm whether that review had been completed.
The aquarium announced Apollo’s death in a statement on its website and social media, in which chief zoological officer James “Buddy” Powell said the welfare of its animals has “always been our top priority.”
“Apollo was a beloved member of our CMA family, and his passing has left a void in our hearts,” Powell said. “This serves as a reminder of the profound impact these animals have on our lives and the importance of our conservation efforts. We will continue to learn from Apollo’s life.”
The dolphin arrived at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2021 after being found stranded in Playalinda Beach with hearing loss, parasites and lung inflammation.
According to the aquarium’s statement, Apollo began showing “signs of discomfort” in March. The veterinary and animal care teams monitored Apollo’s diet and regimen, and he was showing signs of progress until Monday morning.
A necropsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death, according to the statement.
Apollo’s death leaves five dolphins at the aquarium, with the most recent, Rosie, arriving last month. Over the past 15 years, the population has fluctuated between three and six.
The average life expectancy of captive dolphins in high-quality facilities is 20 to 25 years, according to Naomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist with the Animal Welfare Institute. In a previous interview with the Tampa Bay Times, she said that is similar to the average lifespan in wild “industrialized environments” with threats of boats, entanglements and pollution.
Dolphins in captivity are more prone to certain diseases, Rose said, likely due to not having the diverse diet and activity levels they do in the wild.
The spate of deaths at Clearwater Marine Aquarium has occurred amid 19 months of transition, with three CEO changes, staff turnover and declining visitor attend
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