Photo: The Canadian Press

A white-sided dolphin has died at the Vancouver Aquarium despite having unprecedented surgery for a gastrointestinal disorder.

Hana had been watched around the clock after surgery on Friday.

Aquarium veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena says the 21-year-old mammal died on Sunday evening.

Seven veterinarians participated in the surgery that was considered a success.

But Hana did not recover from the disorder, which the team was still trying to diagnose after she suddenly became ill last Monday.

Hana had lived at the aquarium since 2005 after she was acquired from Japanese officials who rescued her from getting tangled in a fishing net.