A tragic loss: Ivan the dolphin dies at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach
Ivan #Ivan
PANAMA CITY BEACH — A well-known dolphin suddenly died earlier this week at Gulf World Marine Park.
In a press release from Wednesday, park officials announced that Ivan the rough-toothed dolphin died Sunday night. At the time, “he was receiving treatment for bacterial pneumonia and seemed to be responding well,” the release states.
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“Gulf World is heartbroken to share the news of the sudden loss of (its) beloved rough-toothed dolphin,” it added. “The management team would like to thank the staff for all their hard work and we understand how difficult it is to go through these moments after putting forth such an unselfish and professional effort to care for our animals.”
According to the release, Ivan was found stranded on the coast of Cape San Blas on Sept. 27, 2004. His stranding came in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, which is how he got his name.
He was then “deemed non-releasable by” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Gulf World officials decline to comment further on his death.
Ivan’s death comes less than a month after a female bottlenose dolphin died while being rehabilitated at Gulf World Marine Institute. The animal was found stranded on the coast of Indian Pass.
Permitted through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Marine Fisheries Service, the institute is a sister company to the marine park, which is the nonprofit’s biggest supporter.
Ivan “was loved and cherished by guests and staff and will be greatly missed,” the release reads.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: A tragic loss: Ivan the dolphin dies at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach