Japan's first dolphin conceived by artificial insemination died Tuesday at Kamogawa Sea World in Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture.
Will, a 2.3-meter, 170-kg bottlenose dolphin born in September 2004, died early Tuesday after he stopped eating, according to an aquarium statement released Wednesday.
"We're all overcome by grief," said Kazutoshi Arai, a spokesman for the aquarium, in Chiba Prefecture.
Keepers transferred Will to a special treatment pool last week with his mother, Norma, after the young dolphin suddenly stopped eating.
Preliminary autopsy results suggest Will suffered from volvulus, a twisting of the intestines, the aquarium said.
It is unclear whether Will's death had anything to do with the method of his conception.
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