CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater Marine Aquarium announced its four-year-old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin Apollo died Monday, becoming the third loss for the aquarium this year.

What You Need To Know

  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium said Apollo, a four-year-old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, died Monday

  • CMA said Apollo began showing signs of gastrointestinal discomfort back in March, but had shown signs of progress until his health began to decline Monday morning

  • Apollo is the fifth dolphin to die at CMA in the past 19 months

  • Back in March, CMA convened a panel of experts to conduct an independent review focused on habitats, water quality, veterinary care and more

"Our team is heartbroken by Apollo's loss," Dr. James "Buddy" Powell is quoted in a post on CMA's Facebook page. "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."

According to CMA, Apollo began showing signs of gastrointestinal discomfort back in March.

It said veterinary and animal care teams closely monitored his diet, and he showed signs of progress. His health began to decline Monday morning, and he passed away. He was four years old.

CMA said Apollo was found stranded on Playalinda in May of 2021 with several health problems, including parasites on his dorsal fin, pectoral fins and fluke as well as stomach and lung inflammation.

Significant hearing loss made him non-releasable, and he became a permanent resident of the aquarium in December of that year.

Spectrum Bay News 9's partners at the Tampa Bay Times report Apollo is the fifth dolphin to die at the aquarium in 19 months. Before that, CMA had lost three dolphins over 20 years.

Facebook posts show rough-toothed dolphin Rex died March 6, 37-year-old rescue Hemingway died January 23, 51-year-old bottlenose dolphin PJ died October 23, and 16-year-old Winter, the inspiration for the "Dolphin Tale" movies, died in November 2021. 

In the post following Apollo's death, CMA said, "For 50 years, CMA has been a leader in marine mammal care and dolphin rehabilitation. As the only organization in the United States with its resident dolphin population composed entirely of stranded, rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable animals, CMA continues to be at the forefront of progressive dolphin research and the first response to dolphins requiring emergency, life-saving care."

Back in March, the aquarium announced it convened a panel of experts to conduct an independent review focused on habitats, water quality, veterinary care, animal welfare and environmental impact.

The group is made up of animal welfare expert and lawyer James Gesualdi, veterinarians Lara Croft and Andy Samper, Rita Vondra with the Texas State Aquarium, and Paul Cooley with PCA Global.

CMA said in the announcement of the review, "As a working marine animal hospital, we are committed to providing the animals at Clearwater Marine Aquarium with the best care. We look forward to working with these outside experts to ensure that our institution continues to meet the highest standards of quality and excellence."

A CMA spokesperson told Spectrum Bay News 9 the aquarium hopes to get the results of the review out soon, but there was no word on how long that might take.