Brookfield Zoo has a new baby dolphin.
The 40-pound, 3-foot-long female welcomed last Friday was the third calf born to mother Allie, a 26-year-old bottlenose dolphin.
Dolphin shows at the Seven Seas exhibit as well as the underwater viewing area are closed until further notice to allow the mother and calf to bond and interact with the other dolphins.
She isn't the only baby expected at the zoo.
Tapeko, a 31-year-old female, is due this fall and has two daughters Allison, 7, and Noelani, 9, who will learn from the experienced mothers. Spree, a 10-year-old a female dolphin is scheduled to give birth to her first calf later this fall.
“We are encouraged right now with the behavior we are seeing from both Allie and the calf,” Rita Stacey, curator of marine mammals said. “Allie’s pregnancy progressed normally, and she has been provided proper nutrition and veterinary care throughout her pregnancy. However, we remain cautiously optimistic as the first 30 days are extremely critical in the calf’s life.”
The new mother and her calf will be observed around the clock to track social patterns and the growth status of the baby.
Allie's pregnancy was discovered last fall and was monitored throughout her 12-month gestation period.
