Dolphin Calf Born at Marineland Dies

A dolphin born earlier this month at Marineland Dolphin Adventure has died.

Marineland officials announced Wednesday the calf died over the weekend. She was born July 12 to one of the park's resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Casique.

Park officials say it was her first calf. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports research shows first-time cetacean mothers and calves in the wild experience a high loss rate within 30 days of birth.

The staff had been encouraged to see the calf nursing. A team of 40-plus worked to give the calf her best chance of survival.

Last week, officials announced the calf developed a respiratory condition.

Gestation for dolphins is about 52 weeks. General Manager Kurt Allen says the staff had been preparing for the birth for months.