Female Bottlenose Dolphin Born to 27-Year-Old Mom at Brookfield Zoo

Photos courtesy of the The Chicago Zoological Society.

A female bottlenose dolphin was born Dec. 16 at the Brookfield Zoo to 27-year-old dolphin, Allie.

Allie has raised two calfs before, and Allie and her new calf have met critical milestones, according to The Chicago Zoological Society. Allie has protected her calf, she’s nursing the calf successfully and they’re slipstreaming — meaning the calf stays close to Allie’s dorsal fin, gliding on her pressure wave.

The first 30 days of a dolphin calf’s life are particularly critical, according to a news release.

A male bottlenose dolphin was also born Dec. 12 to 9-year-old dolphin mom, Allison. Allison and her calf also met the critical milestones.

“We are thrilled with this birth, as well as with Allison’s calf,” said Rita Stacey, curator of marine mammals for the Society, in the release. “It has also been very rewarding and exciting for our marine mammal team.”

Most baby dolphins in the wild are at the highest risk in their first year, according to Randy Wells, Ph.D., who is a leader in the field of wild dolphin research and director of the Society’s 45-year Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP).

Marine mammal care staff will monitor Allie and her calf for indicators of the health and well-being of the calf, such as the mother’s continued maternal care, the calf’s breathing and nursing rates and the amount of time the calf is slipstreaming.

The Seven Seas underwater viewing exhibit is closed to allow the two moms time to bond with their calves. For updates, the public can visit www.CZS.org/dolphincalf.

The Chicago Zoological Society has cared for bottlenose dolphins for 54 years.