One of the most popular residents of the Vancouver Aquarium has died.

Spinnaker, a male Pacific, white-sided dolphin, died Thursday morning following what the aquarium describes as a “prolonged illness.”

The dolphin had been under the care of aquarium veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena for several months. According to the aquarium, Spinnaker’s health had appeared to be improving in recent weeks.

Spinnaker was rescued in 1991 after becoming entangled in a fixed-location fishing net off the coast of Japan and arrived at the aquarium in 2001. At the time, it was estimated Spinnaker was 14-years-old, making the dolphin approximately 24 at the time of death. The oldest recorded male white-sided dolphin is 42.

Spinnaker’s body has been moved to the provincial animal health centre, where Haulena is conducting a full necropsy today. A preliminary necropsy report should be released tomorrow (Friday).

sthomas@vancourier.com

Twitter: @sthomas10