Lung Infection Kills 19-Year-Old Bottlenose Dolphin 'Maverick'

At the Las Vegas Mirage Casino, a young bottlenose dolphin passed away from a lung infection. The dolphin, named Maverick, was the second to pass away at the Mirage's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat in the preceding five months, according to a statement from MGM Resorts.

The first dolphin death of the year in 2022 occurred at the casino in April 2022, when Bella, a 13-year-old bottlenose dolphin, passed away following treatment for gastroenteritis.

At The Mirage's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, visitors can pay to pet, feed, interact with, and take pictures with a bottlenose dolphin. Some visitors pay an additional fee so that they can enter the water with Maverick and the other dolphins.

64% Death Rate

Before Maverick and Bella passed away, the casino was home to 10 dolphins, many of whom had been there for more than 20 years, according to the dolphin welfare organization Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project. A total of 14 dolphins have already passed away at the casino since the habitat's opening in 1990, the majority of whom were younger than Maverick or around his age. Consequently, the dolphins at the casino have a 64% mortality rate.

Bottlenose Dolphins

Bottlenose dolphins typically live for 40 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Some females live longer than males and have been reported to live for about 60 years. They are thought to be among the most intelligent species on Earth and are very social creatures.

The dolphins live in four interconnected pools totaling 2.5 million gallons of water in the Siegfried and Roy Secret Garden at the Mirage. The habitat, which contains several dolphins accustomed to the open ocean and capable of traveling close to 80 miles per day, contains roughly the same amount of water as the five swimming pools used in the Olympics. At the edge of their pools, the captive dolphins at the casino had a history of biting and chewing.

MGM Resorts

Franz Kallao, the senior vice president hospitality at MGM Franz Kallao, the senior vice president of hospitality at MGM Resorts, said that their animal care staff collaborates closely with veterinarians and marine animal specialists to ensure that the dolphins are constantly monitored and receive the best care possible all year long.

Kallao added that this includes a weekly meeting to review all topics related to animal welfare, including veterinary, behavioral, and water quality concerns, as well as weekly physical examinations by veterinarians. He also said that the well-being, security, and happiness of the living creatures entrusted to their care are of the utmost importance.

Maverick, the most recent dolphin fatality, was photographed with skin rashes and lesions that were believed to be brought on by a poxvirus infection.

According to Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project, The dolphins' habitat lacks a permanent shade structure, so they are unable to find shade in the back and center pools from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The casino's home city of Las Vegas experiences summertime highs of 104 degrees Fahrenheit on average.

Stress

Bottlenose dolphins are more prone to sunburn compared to other animals because they lack protective fur. That would not be a problem if the dolphins at the casino spent all of their time underwater, but the dolphins at the Mirage are forced to perform stunts and interact with visitors at the surface of the water. Experts say that for many captive dolphins, this is a very stressful ordeal.

Visitors could also see Bengal tigers, white lions, white tigers, a snow leopard, a panther, and an Asian elephant when the attraction first opened. Visitors could also view other animal attractions such as Bengal tigers, white lions, white tigers, a snow leopard, a panther, and an Asian elephant when the attraction first opened.

The animal welfare organization American Humane certified Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat in 2017 as a habitat that satisfies the highest standards of animal care, Newsweek reports.