Gambit, the dolphin dies unexpectedly
Gambit allowed countless people the opportunity to peer beneath the sea and meet one of its great ambassadors.
BELOVED bottlenose dolphin, Gambit passed away on Monday after his 48th birthday was celebrated last year, making him one of the oldest dolphins to ever be documented. The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) shared the news, saying they were mourning the loss.
“His passing today 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.
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Dr Larry Oellermann, CEO of SAAMBR expressed his deep sadness and support for the team.
“I have known Gambit since 1977, when I first met him as a teenager visiting the old Durban Aquarium. 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 allowed countless people the opportunity to peer beneath the sea and meet one of its great ambassadors.
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“Our challenge is to translate this outpouring of compassion into meaningful action for our oceans, as we continue to work towards conserving our oceans not only for dolphins, but all marine life, ” said SAAMBR’s Conservation Strategist, Dr Judy Mann.
Gambit played a vital role in SAAMBR’s mission to connect people to the life of the ocean. He was father to five and grandfather to one of the SAAMBR dolphins.
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