One of two remaining dolphins at Marineland in Napier has died.
Shona, who was 36-years-old, died on Friday afternoon after being ill for the past seven weeks.
Marineland's manager Gary MacDonald says the dolphin had been causing staff concern since early February when she stopped eating properly, but veterinary tests failed to show up any abnormalities.
He says Shona's death is a very sad event for the Marineland staff who have a close and family-type relationship with all the animals in their care.
Shona and her companion Kelly arrived at Marineland in December 1974. The pair are the only Common Dolphins used for show purposes in the world.
Common Dolphins usually live to between 15 and 18 years old. A post-mortem will be carried out at Massey University.
With Shona's death the future of Marineland is up in the air because it is not allowed a permit to get a replacement dolphin. Those who oppose the captivity of wild animals say Marineland needs to close down.
Marineland will be closed over the next few days as staff plan for the future.
