Press Releases
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Dolphin Siu Tik dies after months of treatment The rough-toothed dolphin "Siu Tik", who was stranded and then rescued at Lok Tik Wan in May, 2004, died in Ocean Park yesterday (March 6) after months of intensive treatment and expert care by Ocean Park and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). A thorough necropsy on Siu Tik was performed yesterday by Ocean Park veterinarians with the assistance of AFCD officers. Preliminary results indicated that the animal had gastric problems and pathological changes in various parts of his body. Samples were collected for laboratory investigations to determine the cause of Siu Tik's death and, if possible, why he was stranded 10 months ago. Ocean Park and the AFCD did all they could to improve Siu Tik's health and welfare. He had not been able to eat unassisted since his rescue, even though he improved during his recuperation in Ocean Park. His weight increased from 75 kg to more than 100 kg. Repeated tests over several months did not determine why Siu Tik failed to recover to a standard of health considered normal for other dolphins. An AFCD spokesman said Siu Tik's case had nonetheless provided a valuable lesson in veterinary care for stranded dolphins. "We and our Ocean Park counterparts have learned much from Siu Tik, including the biology of the species of dolphin to better understand and prepare for future strandings," he said. The AFCD will keep Siu Tik's skeleton for public educational programmes for the conservation of marine mammals.
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