Gambit, the famous bottlenose dolphin at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), has died today [20 April], presumably due to old age.
‘His passing was unexpected but thankfully swift, leaving an enormous hole in the hearts of the SAAMBR team, many of whom have worked with Gambit for over 20 years,’ said Gabby Harris, assistant curator of SAAMBR’s Mammal and Bird Department.
Gambit was 48 years old, making him one of the oldest dolphins to ever be documented. Lately, however, he started showing signs of his aging and was being carefully monitored by animal care and veterinary teams.
‘I have known Gambit since 1977, when I first met him as a teenager visiting the old Durban Aquarium,’ said Dr Larry Oellermann, chief executive of SAAMBR. ‘The awe he inspired in me then was one of the reasons I became a marine biologist’, he said. ‘My thoughts go out to the team who have worked so closely with Gambit over the years. All of us at SAAMBR share their loss.’
Gambit has inspired thousands to care for the ocean and its creatures and will be sorely missed.
Source: IOL
Image: Twitter
