Joona (SARK)

Joona, also known as Raggy, was a 12 year old male Atlantic bottlenose dolphin that lived at Särkänniemi. He was captured on the 21st of August, 1984 off the coast of Pine Island, Florida, United States, and died on the 7th of September, 1990 from necrotic pneumonia and blood poisoning.

## Immediate Family

### Calves

1. SARK-TT-B9001\* (Deceased 1990)
2. SARK-TT-U9001\* (Stillborn 1990)
3. SARK-TT-B9002\* (Deceased 1990)

## Transfer History

### Transfer #1

21st of August, 1984 - Off the coast of Pine Island, Florida, United States to temporary holding pools, Pine Island, Florida, United States.

### Transfer #2

???? - Temporary holding pools, Pine Island, Florida, United States to the Dolphin Research Center

### Transfer #3

31st of March, 1985 - Dolphin Research Center to Särkänniemi

## Capture

Joona was captured on the 21st of August, 1984 off the coast of Pine Island, Florida, United States at the age of 6 years old, along with another male named Delfi. After being captured, both cetaceans were moved to a temporary holding pool on Pine Island. After two other cetaceans were captured, Joona was transferred to the Dolphin Research Center to be trained. He later met other dolphins, one of which, a female named Niki, was captured hours before him. Veera and Happy were captured in the following days, though Happy died a month later in September of 1984 from starvation and head trauma. It is likely that Joona did not directly live with Happy after being transferred to the Dolphin Research Center, as the pods were likely separated by sex.

Days before Happy died, a naming contest was sent out by Särkänniemi to name the five animals. In October, the name results were released, and the name "Joona" was given to the oldest male, who was previously nicknamed Raggy. All of these individuals were captured by Dr. Jay Sweeny. Särkänniemi, an up and coming facility in Finland that had not yet been completed, had hired him to capture six cetaceans. In December of 1984, the four dolphins were joined by Näsi, the last of the six to be captured, as a result of Happy's death and the naming contest. On the 31st of March, 1985, all five cetaceans were transferred to Särkänniemi.

## Onto Särkänniemi

On the 12th of May, 1985, the dolphins were shown to the public for the first time in a performance. There were originally seven short shows a day, though it was later reduced to five as the opening crowds went down. By 1989, the water was very green, which may or may not have affected Joona and the others. The color was likely a result of no chlorine used in the water. Staff had trouble separating them into groups, and the training was not advanced.

By 1990, all three female(Näsi, Niki, and Veera) had become pregnant, and it was later confirmed that Joona sired all the calves. Days before Joona died, Veera gave birth to a calf who died immediately after birth, and Niki delivered a premature stillborn the day before he died. The final calf was born on the 10th of September to Näsi, three days after Joona's death, and lived for 25 days before dying on the 5th of October.

## Death

In September of 1990, Joona begun to develop breathing problems. His condition was monitored around the clock as his health continued to deteriorate from "sudden pneumonia." In the early morning of the 7th of September, 1990, Joona died in the arms of his caretakers. His body was taken to the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy, along with further research. Joona's cause of death was listed as necrotic pneumonias and blood poisoning. His death came as a shock to staff members, as his illness had only lasted a short while.

## Gallery

**If you are going to use any of these photos, please credit the photographer and/or the provider.**

**Photos by Särkänniemi.**

## Sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 “The Finland Four.” *Dolphin Project*, 29 Nov. 2015, www.dolphinproject.com/blog/the-finland-four/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Marianna, Maisterintutkielma, et al. *Suhtautuminen Aamulehden Särkänniemi-Aiheisissa Lehtijutuissa*. static.wikia.nocookie.net/captivecetaceans/images/3/31/Sark\_dolphins\_early\_history.pdf. 2015.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 “Katso Delfiinien Koko Historia! Konkarikouluttaja Paljastaa Sydäntäriipaisevimmat Hetket IL-TV.” *Www.iltalehti.fi*, www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/a/2016082821446942. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.
4. ↑ IHUURRE. “Särkänniemen Delfiinit Saivat Aikaan Jymy-Yllätyksen Veera, Näsi Ja Niki Synnyttävät Ensi Syksynä.” Helsingin Sanomat, 10 Jan. 1990, www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000002953292.html. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 IHUURRE. “Pikku- Delfiinien Isäkin Kuoli Tampereella Joona Sai Äkillisen Keuhkotulehduksen.” Helsingin Sanomat, 10 Sept. 1990, www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000003010548.html. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 “NIMM: Print Animals Report” *THE MID-CAP CHRONICLES*, themidcapchronicles.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/mmir-complete-09jul2013.pdf. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.