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Minnesota Zoo Mourns Loss Of Dolphin Calf

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (WCCO) -- A 1-year-old baby dolphin passed away at the Minnesota Zoo Monday night after a sudden and acute illness, according to officials.

The Minnesota Zoo's marine mammal staff and veterinarians were working around the clock to try and save Taijah, a female dolphin calf born in 2010.

Taijah began showing symptoms early Monday and an ultrasound showed she had fluid in her stomach. She was put on medication and seemed to be stable until late Monday night.

Taijah was the calf of 24-year-old Allie, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who has been at the zoo since 2008, and Semo, a 48-year-old dolphin that's currently the oldest under human care.

An animal autopsy will be performed Tuesday to determine Taijah's cause of death.

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