Chicago Zoo Celebrates Birth of Bottlenose Dolphin Calf
A bottlenose dolphin at a Chicago zoo, named Allie, gave birth to a calf early Saturday morning with the assistance of another experienced mom dolphin. The successful birth was captured on video by zoo staff.
The dolphin calf was born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago as veterinarians monitored and encouraged Allie throughout the process. The calf’s tail fins could be seen poking out below Allie as she swam around the tank.
After some intense moments, the calf wriggled free and instinctively made its way to the surface of the pool for its first breath. Allie was accompanied by Tapeko, an experienced mother dolphin, who stayed close by providing support and protection during the labor.
According to zoo staff, it is common for dolphins to assist each other during birth, offering extra protection and help to ensure the calf’s well-being.
The calf, estimated to weigh around 35 pounds and measure nearly four feet in length, is showing early signs of good health. The Seven Seas exhibit at the zoo will be temporarily closed to allow the calf to bond with its mother and other dolphins in the group.
As part of the bonding process, the calf has already started learning to slipstream alongside its mother. Veterinarians will closely monitor the calf’s progress in nursing, swimming, and other developmental milestones over the next 30 days.
In the coming weeks, the calf will undergo a paternity test to determine its father among the male dolphins at the zoo. A name for the calf will also be chosen by zoo officials later this summer.
