Death Of Dolphin Apollo Mourned At Clearwater Marine Aquarium

CLEARWATER, FL — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has announced the death of another beloved dolphin.

Apollo, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who had lived at the aquarium since 2021, died at the age of 4 years old.

Apollo was found stranded on Playalinda in May 2021 and became a permanent resident of the aquarium due to health challenges including parasites on his dorsal fin, pectoral fins and fluke along with stomach and lung inflammation. He was also determined to have significant hearing loss making him non-releasable.

In March, Apollo appeared to show signs of discomfort. For months, the aquarium's veterinary and animal care teams closely monitored and modified Apollo’s diet and regimen. He was showing signs of progress until Monday when his health appeared to decline again.

Despite the efforts of the veterinarians, Apollo's condition deteriorated and died. A necropsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.

“Our team is heartbroken by Apollo’s passing," said Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, chief zoological officer for the aquarium.

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"The welfare and well-being of our animals have always been our top priority at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. 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," he said.

"We will continue to learn from Apollo's life," said Powell. "We would like to express our gratitude to the dedicated staff and veterinary professionals who worked tirelessly to provide the best possible care for Apollo. Their expertise, compassion, and commitment to the well-being of our animals are admirable.”