4-year-old dolphin dies at Florida’s Clearwater aquarium

A rescued dolphin has died at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the facility posted on social media Monday.

It’s the fifth dolphin to die at the facility in 19 months, the Tampa Bay Times reports, and outside experts have been hired to review the facilities. Before that, only three dolphins had died in 20 years.

Four-year-old bottlenose dolphin Apollo was found sick and stranded in Playalinda, near Cape Canaveral, in May 2021, and taken to the aquarium.

Apollo had parasites on his fins and tail, along with stomach and lung inflammation, but significant hearing loss meant he wasn’t able to be released.

In March, Apollo “appeared to show signs of discomfort,” the aquarium said on Facebook. The veterinarians and animal care teams changed and closely monitored his diet and regimen and he was making progress.

But on Monday, his health declined again and deteriorated. The teams kept him comfortable until he died.

A necropsy will determine the cause of death.

“Our team is heartbroken by Apollo’s passing. The welfare and well-being of our animals have always been our top priority at Clearwater Marine Aquarium,” Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, the aquarium’s chief zoological officer, said in a statement.

“Apollo was a beloved member of our CMA family, and his passing has left a void in our hearts. This serves as a reminder of the profound impact these animals have on our lives and the importance of our conservation efforts.”