Dolphin dies in accident at Brookfield Zoo

One of Brookfield Zoo’s dolphins has died after apparently colliding with another dolphin.

Officials at the suburban Chicago zoo say Nea was a 4-year-old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. The accident happened Monday afternoon before the dolphins were scheduled to perform.

Zoo officials say nobody saw exactly what happened, but her trainers heard a loud pop and jumped into the water to help the dolphin. Veterinary staff weren’t able to revive her.

A preliminary examination indicates Nea suffered a fractured skull. Zoo experts say the injury appears consistent with a collision with another dolphin, rather than a hard fixed object. The other dolphin wasn’t hurt.