- April 18, 2024
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Shaka and her calf who was born Wednesday, Sept. 2. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Shaka and calf at Marineland Dolphin Adventure.
Courtesy photo of Marineland Dolphin Adventure
A new dolphin calf was born, Wednesday, Sept. 2, to Shaka, a resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphin at Marineland Dolphin Adventure. The calf broke the water’s surface and took its first breath shortly after being born. Mother and calf began to swim together around the habitat. The Marineland animal care and training teams are continuing to monitor the mother and calf’s progression around-the-clock. So far the calf’s gender is undetermined.
“This is a very critically important time period in the life of a newborn dolphin. At this time we consider the prognosis guarded until certain milestones are met,” said Gregory Bossart, V.M.D., Ph.D., chief veterinary officer and senior vice president of Georgia Aquarium, Inc.
As with all newborn calves in human care or in their natural habitat the calf’s condition is considered precarious for an undetermined period of time. The staff remains cautiously optimistic on the condition of the calf while maintaining close observation and giving 24-hour care.
“I’m extremely proud of the passionate, dedicated and unrivaled care that our experts have given and will continue to give Shaka, her calf and the other dolphins in our care as we work through this critical time, “said Kurt Allen, general manager and vice president of Marineland Dolphin Adventure. The devoted staff members continue to work vigorously to care for all the residential animals at the facility.
Guests can visit the facility and watch the mother and calf through a viewing area as they swim together in the habitat. Friendly public education staff members will stand by to inform curious visitors about the residential animals. Marineland Dolphin Adventure is a non-for-profit who focuses on the importance of utilizing educational experiences to inspire others to value and respect marine mammals in their environment. The facility is in its 77th year and pioneered marine science studies, animal training and water chemistry as well as the world’s first successful dolphin breeding program.
Information provided by Marineland Dolphin Adventure, affiliated with Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia.
