Overview
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium confirmed the female southern bottlenose dolphin died on Dec. 2 at the Oki-chan Theater at an estimated age of 52.
- Staff reported a health decline since summer with ongoing treatment, and her final public performance took place on Oct. 20.
- The institution says diseases linked to age-related bodily decline likely caused her death and will conduct a detailed investigation.
- Oki-chan held Japan’s record for the longest-kept cetacean and was reported as the world’s longest-kept southern bottlenose dolphin.
- Visitors gathered at a memorial table on Dec. 3 to leave flowers and notes, as officials and locals reflected on her tourism impact and 2025 honors.