![]() In 2018, Dolphin Encounters at Blue Lagoon Island became the first facility in The Bahamas to achieve certification by the A merican Humane Conservation program. To ensure that the marine mammal program at Blue Lagoon Island continues to provide the highest level of care and conditions for its dolphins, sea lions and stingrays, the company maintains a number of key international accreditations including the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums and the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association. Blue Lagoon Has Achieved Many International Accreditations And they get vitamin supplements and a highly qualified team to care for them. They enjoy the best quality food and diets that are analyzed and modified for their individual needs and tastes. ![]() They have the best in veterinary care onsite. The dolphins at Blue Lagoon Island have what George calls a “pampered lifestyle.” They have a preventative medicine program. So as long as they are healthy, well cared for and living in pristine conditions, they can give birth and rear calves at an advanced age. Dolphins Can Be Older Moms Than HumansĪtlantic Bottlenose Dolphins do not experience menopause. ![]() It doesn’t take long before they perfect the technique.”ĭuchess and Princess, will remain a close pair for at least another year and a half as Duchess is nursing. ![]() So they start jumping more and more and as I say, they have the adults as an example to copy from. They begin to learn to swim, to become more independent and then they begin to experiment like children when they begin to walk. George explained that at birth, a dolphin calf’s flippers and fins are extremely soft. She flips – and sometimes flops – out of the water, plays with any fish thrown her way, and in general explores her world. She really is an excellent, excellent mother and Duchess is coming along really quickly as a result of her mother’s experience,” he explained.Īlready the young calf is mimicking her mother and the other dolphins she lives with. “She’s never happier than when she’s got a calf. George says Princess, who has now had four boys and two girls, is a great Mom. Princess is a Great Dolphin Mother to Her Baby For a dolphin calf, the first lesson immediately after birth is how to swim to the surface to breathe. They both rely on their mothers who teach them everything they need to know. She will continue to nurse from her mother for quite some time yet.”ĭolphin calves are similar to human babies in that that they are not born with survival skills to fend for themselves. Very active, energetic, all the signs are good. Weight distributed exactly where it should be. And she’s a very good looking little dolphin. “As with people, they all look different, believe it or not. “She’s a very pretty little dolphin,” said George Rodgers, Blue Lagoon Island’s Zoological Director. They have been monitoring her health and progress daily. The marine mammal team confirmed her gender a few weeks after her birth. Duchess’ father is Stormy.ĭuchess was born in the all-natural habitat on Blue Lagoon Island on November 21, 2018. Her mother, Princess, at age 52 is one of the oldest known dolphins under human care around the world. 9, Seaworld announced that DNA tests show the new-born is a boy.BLUE LAGOON ISLAND, Bahamas – The team at Blue Lagoon Island has officially introduced its newest member of the family – a healthy and strong native Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin calf named Duchess.Ĭlick here to see video taken when the baby dolphin was just 3 minutes old! SeaWorld officials describe Melanie as a very good and nurturing mother.Įighty-two dolphin calves have been born since SeaWorld opened 54 years ago. According to researchers, female dolphins up to 48 years of age can successfully give birth and raise young. Her first calf was born in 1998 and her second was born in 2000. The calf, whose gender will be determined through DNA tests in the coming weeks, is Melanie’s third. “All last night we watched the baby closely, (it is) swimming strongly, nursing a ton, and Melanie is doing excellent,” said Brian Rokeach, senior dolphin trainer. The calf and 29-year-old mother Melanie each appear to be in good health, with SeaWorld officials saying they are swimming together and bonding.Īs with any birth, the first few days are critical and SeaWorld’s animal care and veterinary teams are monitoring the baby and mother. It wasn’t “Day of the Dolphin” on Monday afternoon but “Day of the Baby Dolphin” at SeaWorld as a 700-pound bottlenose dolphin gave birth to a calf weighing about 40 pounds.Īfter a 12-month gestation period, the calf was born at 4:37 p.m.
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