Dolphin calf dies

Harley, the Minnesota Zoo's newest dolphin, has died after jumping out of his pool and fracturing his head on the concrete deck. The dolphin calf, which had just turned seven months of age, apparently panicked swimming between two back pools at the zoo that have been his home since birth.

Harley had started training to go between the east and west back pools through a channel, he had gone from the east “maternity” pool to the west pool with his mother, Rio. Rio returned to the east pool, and as Harley swam towards the channel, he leapt out of the water and landed on the deck. Trainers returned him to the water but after a while, Harley stopped coming up to breathe. Divers were sent in to aid him, but to no avail.

An examination at the University of Minnesota determined Harley had a skull
fracture and his lungs were full of blood, zoo officials said.Harley was never on display for zoo visitors, born June 21 to Rio, a 33-year-old dolphin who has long been a fixture at the Minnesota Zoo.

source: twincities.com