In a beautiful and rare moment at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, a bottlenose dolphin named Allie gave birth to a healthy calf on a Saturday morning. This remarkable event was captured on video by the zoo staff, highlighting the collaboration and support typical among dolphins.
Allie, a 38-year-old dolphin, brought her new calf into the world with the assistance and encouragement of dedicated veterinarians and a supportive fellow dolphin mother named Tapeko, who is 43 years old. Tapeko stayed close, providing reassurance and guidance throughout Allie’s labor, which lasted over an hour. The video footage shows the exciting moment when the calf, after being born, instinctively made its way to the water’s surface for its first breath, with Tapeko closely accompanying it.
Dr. Jennifer Langan, Senior Veterinarian at Brookfield Zoo, explained that this kind of support is common among dolphins both in the wild and in aquariums. She noted that having an experienced dolphin nearby can aid the mother and help the newborn in getting enough oxygen quickly after birth.
Officials at the zoo shared that the young dolphin appears to be in good health, weighing approximately 35 pounds (16 kilograms) and measuring almost four feet in length (115-120 centimeters)—similar in size to a fully grown golden retriever. The Seven Seas exhibit at the zoo will remain closed to the public temporarily, allowing the newborn to bond with its mother and integrate safely within the dolphin community.
During this bonding period, the calf has started to learn the skill of slipstreaming, a technique where it drafts alongside its mother, facilitating easier movement and allowing it to conserve energy. Over the next month, veterinary teams will be closely monitoring the calf’s development in essential areas such as nursing, swimming, and reaching key developmental milestones.
In an intriguing turn, the zoo plans to conduct a paternity test to determine the calf’s father from the male dolphins residing in the zoo. As for now, the calf remains nameless but is expected to receive its official name in the coming summer.
This joyful news is yet another testament to the extraordinary nature of dolphin camaraderie and the dedicated care provided by zoo professionals.