A 24-year-old Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin named Rita has died at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park after showing signs of fatigue and a loss of appetite.
The marine mammal had lived in the park for about 13 years after she was transferred from Tunisia. Investigations into her death are ongoing.
“Rita was a playful animal who got along well with her dolphin and human mates, and was a beloved animal ambassador living in the Marine Mammal Breeding and Research Centre next to the Ocean Park Veterinary Centre,” a park spokesman said.
She had refused to eat and showed signs of tiredness since Friday.
The park said that veterinarians performed thorough examinations and blood tests on the dolphin, which caretakers looked after around the clock.
But her health conditions worsened and she died on Sunday afternoon.
The park has conducted a necropsy to determine the cause of death, while further laboratory tests are under way.
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins can live for more than 40 years in the wild.
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The spokesman said that students had learned about and appreciated the natural behaviour and daily care of dolphins up close through guided tours, and were inspired to contribute to marine conservation.
“The park expresses its gratitude to Rita for conveying conservation messages to visitors. She will forever hold a special place in our hearts and memories,” he said.
Rita was transferred to Hong Kong from Friguia Park in Tunisia in November 2012, after the facility closed its dolphin show, according to Ceta-Base, an online database of captive-held cetaceans across the world.
She gave birth to a male calf named Rati in September 2015.
In 2021, Ocean Park announced that Milo, a seven-year-old female Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, died after suffering acute haemorrhagic enteritis, or inflammation of the intestines.
