- November 18, 2024
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Marineland Dolphin Adventure’s resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Dazzle, swam with her calf in their semi-private habitat, not visible to the public Friday, May 30, one week and one day after giving birth. Every movement of mother and calf, being monitored by staff.
Dazzle successfully gave birth to a female calf Thursday, May 22. Shortly after birth, the calf took its first breath and then began to swim with its mother.
“Over the past week, our team has been giving around-the-clock care to Dazzle and her calf, taking every measure possible to ensure that the calf thrives to its best potential,” said Dr. Gregory Bossart, chief veterinary officer and senior vice president. “The first several days of a calf’s life are very important. We look for critical milestones such as nursing independently, weight gain and bonding with the mother. Dazzle and the calf continue to surpass these important moments. The animal care and training staff at Marineland are looking forward to the critical 30 day marker that significantly increases the calf’s chances for success and remain cautiously optimistic.”
Both mom and calf are doing well, and Marineland animal care and training teams will continue to monitor the pair in the coming months. The animal care and training team’s work has just begun as the first year of a calf’s life is the most critical. In the coming months, as Dazzle’s confidence in the calf’s independence grows, staff’s relationship with the baby can begin to develop.
“As an experienced mother, Dazzle is a nursing mom on-the-go and our attention is focused on providing her the calories needed for her and the calf as well as providing the best overall care for her and the calf during this critical time,” said Michael Hunt, director of animal training.
Marineland Dolphin Adventure has the longest standing dolphin breeding program of any aquarium or zoo. The first dolphin birth in a human care environment took place at Marineland in 1947. With every animal birth, researchers and experts can learn more from mothers, calves and other dolphins to build data that can ultimately be used to conserve the species in their natural habitats.
“As we continue to remember and honor the legacy of Marineland’s Nellie, who at 61 was the longest-lived dolphin in human care, the birth of Dazzle’s calf so soon after her passing is a beautiful reminder as to why the Marineland Dolphin Adventure staff has dedicated their lives to caring for these animals,” said Kurt Allen, general manager and vice president.
The calf has not yet been named because of the milestones she needs to reach within the first year. Allen said that the Marineland calves are usually named anywhere from 6 weeks to a year after birth.
