Overview
- SeaWorld announced the death of Dottie, a 39-year-old bottlenose dolphin long based at its San Diego park, in a post that drew widespread reaction from guests and online followers.
- Dottie was born at SeaWorld Orlando before spending most of her life in San Diego and she raised four calves while becoming a favorite of trainers and visitors.
- In 2010 veterinarians diagnosed Dottie with kidney stones and carried out a procedure SeaWorld described as groundbreaking that, the park says, allowed her to live about 15 more years.
- Staff emphasized Dottie’s close, trust-based relationship with her care team, which enabled voluntary medical checks and treatments and shaped how keepers remember her.
- The park’s statement and social-media response put a spotlight on long-term veterinary care for captive marine mammals and the emotional ties between animals, staff, and guests.