Second Dolphin Calf Dies at National Aquarium

The second of two bottlenose dolphin calves born in April at the National Aquarium has died.

The calf died Saturday — less than a week after the first baby dolphin died.

Aquarium officials say the unnamed female calf’s health began failing on Friday, and it died Saturday evening. The cause of death is unknown. Lab results are expected in the next two weeks.

Up to one-third of baby dolphins don’t survive their first year, whether they’re born in the wild or in captivity. Of the 14 calves born at the aquarium since 1992, five died within their first year, and two more died as juveniles.

Sue Hunter, the aquarium’s director of animal programs, says in a statement that “this has been an extremely sad and difficult week.”