Update: 6-Day-Old Dolphin Dies at Brookfield Zoo

Update: Aug. 8, 6:01 p.m.

Joy at the Brookfield Zoo turned to sadness Thursday upon the death of the 6-day-old dolphin born last Friday in the Seven Seas exhibit, the zoo announced Thursday afternoon.

"This was devastating to everyone in our zoo family, but particularly to the dolphin staff. Our experienced veterinary and marine mammal staff provided the best possible care to the calf’s 26-year-old mother, Allie, throughout her pregnancy,” said Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of collections and animal care for the Chicago Zoological Society. “Our primary concern now is for the well-being of Allie, who is being monitored closely."

The calf appeared to be in very good health after mom Allie, 26, gave birth. But the baby began nursing less frequently Wednesday morning and her condition rapidly deteriorated.

“Young calves can fade extremely quickly, so milestones are tracked around the clock,” said Michael Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine for the Society. “We became increasingly concerned this morning when we noticed that the calf was showing signs of weakening.”

Mom Allie, who has two other offspring, took good care of her baby over the course of the past week, the zoo said. Zoo staff performed CPR Thursday morning on the unnamed calf before it died.