Popular dolphin dies at Vancouver Aquarium

A popular dolphin at the Vancouver Aquarium died on Wednesday after a month-long illness, staff have confirmed.

Laverne was a 31-year-old Pacific white-side dolphin that was brought to the aquarium in July 2005 from SeaWorld in Texas to be a companion for Spinnaker, another dolphin.

She quickly won the hearts of visitors, members, staff and volunteers with her playful and inquiring nature, staff said.

A routine necropsy will be performed at the Provincial Animal Health Laboratory, the aquarium said, but results may not be known for several weeks.