Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is mourning the loss of its dolphin, known as “Semo,” who was the country’s oldest known blue-nose dolphin living in captivity, the park said.
Semo died quietly on Tuesday at the age of 54. He had lived at the park for six years, they said. He will be undergoing a necropsy to determine the exact cause of death, but it’s likely that old age was a contributing factor.
“Semo was a ruggedly handsome, large, and imposing male, who was also infinitely joyful and playful,” said Dianne Cameron, director of animal care for the park. “We feel so fortunate to have been a part of his life.”
Cameron said that Semo loved to play with his toys, especially a Kong. He also loved ice and to eat. And he wouldn’t have lasted this long if he didn’t also love towing around people with his dorsal fin.
According to whalefacts.org, bottlenose dolphins live an average of 30 years in the wild but can reach the age of 50. The park cites statistics from the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums that say that dolphins in captivity typically live 25 years.
Semo’s home before Discovery Kingdom was the Minnesota Zoo. Before that, he lived at SeaWorld.
Discovery Kingdom said that it has a dedicated team of veterinary and animal care staff that work with their senior animals. “Most animals can live longer that expected lives with the proper geriatric care, a healthy environment, and lack of predation,” they said.
The park posted a farewell to Semo on his Facebook page, with other sad well wishers offering their condolences.
“He remained always an inspiration and his dedicated animal staff’s ‘Sea Monster,’” the park posted.
“Godspeed, Sea Monster!” wrote a fan. “You will be missed.”
