NEED TO KNOW
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Dottie the dolphin, a longtime favorite at SeaWorld San Diego, has died at age 39.
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Dottie was born at SeaWorld Orlando and moved to California in 1999.
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She became the first dolphin to undergo dialysis and have kidney stones removed in 2010.
Dottie the dolphin, a longtime favorite at SeaWorld San Diego, has died at age 39.
The Atlantic bottlenose dolphin was born at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida and was transported to SeaWorld San Diego in 1999. The amusement park announced the beloved dolphin's death in an Instagram post on Sunday, May 31.
«"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dottie, an extraordinary dolphin who lived to the remarkable age of 39 years," SeaWorld San Diego wrote, along with several photos of Dottie in the water.
«"Born at SeaWorld Orlando and later transferred to SeaWorld San Diego, she became well-known to both her caretaker team and visitors. She was a devoted mother to four calves and was especially known for her strong personality and inquisitive nature," the park said in a statement.
SeaWorld San Diego. Photo: Daniel Knighton/Getty
In January 2010, Dottie developed acute renal failure due to complications from kidney stones. As PEOPLE previously reported, she became the first dolphin to undergo dialysis and have kidney stones removed.
SeaWorld San Diego officials said Dottie had developed "an exceptionally close relationship with the team who cared for her" over the years and during her treatment.
«"This relationship helped build the trust necessary to voluntarily undergo diagnostic procedures that helped maintain her health, especially after she was diagnosed with kidney stones," the park wrote. "After a groundbreaking procedure performed by SeaWorld's veterinary team, she [thrived] for another 15 years.".
SeaWorld San Diego. Photo: KC Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty
Dr. Roger Suhr, director of the University of California San Diego Medical Center and the doctor who treated Dottie, told PEOPLE magazine in 2010, "I was truly stunned. [The prospect] was challenging, exciting, and terrifying. If she had ever decided to kick me, I would have been right there with her—500 pounds to 160, but she wasn't putting up much of a fight. She didn't have the strength left to fight.".
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Thankfully, Dottie recovered and returned home later that year. "I'll probably never forget her—it's not every day you get to operate on a dolphin," Sur said.
In a post on Instagram, SeaWorld San Diego said Dottie "will be deeply missed" by the crew and "the countless guests who were fortunate enough to get to know her during her remarkable life.".
Read the original article on People.