What's new at Marineland?
08/15/2008: Marineland’s Dolphin Conservation Center Welcomes Three Calves
Betty and calf – June 2008
Photo provided by Marineland’s Dolphin Conservation Center
Marineland is pleased to announce that one female and two male calves made their debut to the public during the months of June and July after a twelve month gestational period. Visitors have been delighted to observe their diminutive size and witness their antics.
“These recent births are a nice indication of the disposition of the dolphins and the quality of the environment they live in here at the DCC”, noted Kevin Roberts, Curator of the resident marine mammals. While all three youngsters appear to be doing wonderfully at this time, Marineland staff members remain guardedly optimistic about their continued good health. The infant survival rate for “first time” dolphin mothers, both in the wild and in human care is a mere 17%; for second time mothers the rate is increased to roughly 48% to 60%; and for third time mothers the rate is increased to an average of 80%. Population biologists generally do not consider a dolphin to be “alive and accepted into a population” until a calf has reached the age of one, given the mortality rates of marine mammals in the wild.
For Betty this is her 4th calf, Dazzle’s 3rd, and Roxy’s 2nd. Marineland has been known for successful breeding over its history; however these were the first successful births since moving the dolphins to the recently constructed habitats at the Dolphin Conservation Center.
While the calves have yet to be named, the staff is currently narrowing down the choices. The public is welcome to visit and view the latest additions to the “pod” through general admission to the facility.
