Dolphin dies at vancouver aquarium

2009-05-21

Vancouver Sun

Laverne, a Pacific white-sided dolphin who entertained crowds for years at the Vancouver Aquarium, died Wednesday evening, according to Aquarium staff.

Laverne was about 31 years old, the oldest Pacific white-sided dolphin in an aquarium in North America.

A necrocopsy — an animal version of autopsy — revealed she suffered from intestinal torsion, or a twisting of the bowel. It releases bacteria and toxins into the abdomen, and causes serious infections. She also suffered from skin infections and arthritis.

Intestinal torsion is often seen in large-breed dogs.

"Intestinal torsions are unpredictable, unpreventable, and, in most species, untreatable once the intestine has been severely compromised, " Dr. Marty Haulena, staff veterinarian at the Vancouver Aquarium, said in a news release.

"Laverne received the best possible medical care, ensuring that her last few days of her life were as comfortable as possible."

Pacific white-sided dolphins are so named because of the white colouration on their sides and underneath, according to the Vancouver Aquarium's website. Adult females can weigh 85-145 kg, and reach lengths of 1.7-2.4 m.

They're usually found in the temperate waters of the northern Pacific Ocean from Japan to North America, and from the coast of Alaska down to Baja, Mexico.