Dolphin at Shedd Aquarium is Pregnant, Experts Say

A male dolphin at the Miami Seaquarium, Lii, is the sire

Staffers at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium are expecting.

Piquet, a 27-year-old Pacific white-sided dolphin, is pregnant for the second time in three years. The new calf is expected in early June.

"As with any pregnancy, there is a lot of excitement around her positive progress and eager anticipation to welcome a new baby into the Shedd family," said Lisa Takaki, senior director of marine mammals at the aquarium.

A male dolphin at the Miami Seaquarium, Lii, is the sire.

The gestation period for Pacific white-sided dolphins is known to be just about 12 months. Breeding tends to occur between April and July annually, although calves have been born at other times of the year. Piquet is in her third trimester, officials said.

Piquet's first calf was born in May 2012 and is "thriving" at the Shedd, experts said. His name, Sagu, was given after a contest that collected nearly 4,000 of the 9480 votes cast. Sagu translates to "Joy."

Shedd experts said there are fewer than 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins in accredited North American zoological facilities.

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