3 Dolphin Calves Born At Marineland This Summer
POSTED: Monday, August 18, 2008
  Dolphin mother Betty with her son.
Photo courtesy of Marineland's Dolphin Conservation Center |
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Three dolphins calves have been born at Marineland in St. Augustine in the last two months.Marineland's director of marine mammals, Chad Stouffer, said the total number of dolphins at the facility is now 14.The two males and one female now give the Dolphin Conservation Center a range from the youngest to oldest dolphins in captivity. Nellie was born at Marineland 55 years ago."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," said Kevin Roberts, curator of marine mammals.While all three youngsters appeared to be doing well, Marineland staff members were 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 17 percent. For second-time mothers, the rate increases to between 48 and 60 percent.Biologists generally do not consider a dolphin to be "alive and accepted into a population" until a calf has reached the age of 1, given the mortality rates of marine mammals in the wild.Stouffer said the dolphins don't have names yet.Marineland is the world's first oceanarium, where tourists can now swim, pet and feed dolphins.Marineland is located on a spit of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Highway A1A.
Copyright 2008 by News4Jax.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2008 by News4Jax.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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