CHICAGO, June 11 (UPI) -- A dolphin calf born last week at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium has died, staff said.
The aquarium had been rooting for a successful birth for 26-year-old Tique, whose last two pregnancies yielded a stillbirth and another calf dying shortly after it was born.
The calf, born June 3, started nursing from its mother Tuesday, a good sign, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
On Wednesday, Ken Ramirez, executive vice president of animal collections and training, said, "We're ecstatic, but we remain cautious in our joy."
Staff supplemented the calf's diet starting 12 hours after birth and monitored both mother and daughter constantly, but the baby died Thursday.
"From the moment the calf was born, [Shedd staff] worked tirelessly to provide Tique and the calf with the best possible care," aquarium President Ted Beattie said Friday. "It has been a difficult loss for us."
A necropsy on the animal was inconclusive.
