Oldest dolphin tenant dies in Miami Seaquarium

April, the oldest dolphin at the Miami Seaquarium, and a resident of the park since 1970, died Tuesday morning. April was an Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin in her early forties. She had three offspring, Noel, Sky and Croix and four grandchildren, Denise, Aries, Rioux and Balboa. A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Dolphins in the wild have a life expectancy of about 40 years, and those in captivity typically live shorter lives.

“Due to her geriatric age we’ve been battling with her end-stage liver failure for two years, yet it is still devastating to lose such a dear animal that has been part of the Miami Seaquarium family for the past 37 years,” said Dr. Maya Menchaca Rodriguez, Miami Seaquarium veterinarian.

Since 1973, 63 dolphins, 54 sea lions, and one Orca have died in the care of the Miami Seaquarium.