4-Day-Old Bottlenose Dolphin Dies at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo in Chicago experienced the sudden death of a four-day-old male bottlenose dolphin calf, born to 38-year-old Allie, marking the first dolphin birth at the zoo in over a decade. Despite the calf appearing healthy and meeting all developmental milestones, including nursing and maternal care from Allie, zoo staff observed a rapid and unexpected change in the calf's behavior on Wednesday evening, leading to its abrupt death. The zoo's veterinary and animal care teams provided around-the-clock observation and care, and they are now awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. Dr. Rita Stacey, the zoo’s senior vice president of programs and impact, emphasized the critical vulnerability of dolphin calves in their first days and the biological challenges neonates face, noting that one in five calves born to first-time mothers do not survive their first year. The zoo continues to closely monitor Allie and the dolphin group while sharing the loss with guests and supporters who had found hope and joy in the calf's birth. The incident highlights the delicate balance of life and the complexities involved in caring for newborn dolphins in captivity.