The pantropical spotted dolphin is a deepwater species about which little is known

A death in the Mote Marine Laboratory family is resulting in the closure of its dolphin lagoon facility to visitors for the rest of the week.



Moonshine, a staff favorite after being rescued in the Florida Keys in 2003, died Tuesday morning following a brief illness. Biologists will need a necropsy to determine the cause of death.



Moonshine was a pantropical spotted dolphin rarely seen in shallow waters. He had beached himself 12 years ago and was suffering from severe sunburn after being discovered by the Animal Rescue Society of Miami.



The dolphin was transferred to Mote for full recovery, but the National Marine Fisheries Service determined that lingering liver abnormalities and his young age made him a poor candidate for release.



Mote reported that Moonshine adapted well to his new home at City Island and “participated voluntarily in training sessions that helped his heath care run more smoothly, allowed us to learn more about his species, and provided him mental and physical stimulation.”



The popular cetacean grew listless several days ago and succumbed to an unknown ailment despite intensive critical care assistance.



“We are extremely grateful for the time we had with Moonshine, which allowed us not only to provide exceptional care to an animal in need,” Mote said in a statement, “but also to gather basic information to help inform future research and care with his species.”