Via Delphi´s Dolphin Breeding Program is a Guinness Record
The birth of the first surviving bottle-nosed calf in Mexico, on September 1992, became a landmark in our Dolphin Breeding Program. Ever since this event, we have experienced numerous successful dolphin births in Delphinus Riviera Maya, Delphinus Xcaret and Delphinus Xelhá, which puts us in a remarkable position in world-wide statistics.
The methodology of the Via Delphi's Dolphin Breeding program begins with the selection of apt individuals that are sexually mature, followed by the detection of estrous cycles that helps to properly schedule the handling and grouping of determined males with selected females.
In order to select the sexually mature individuals we use several techniques such as: ethograms, figure out hormonal levels and determining testicular size thru ultrasound. Following the reproductive cycles of this specie, our dolphins breed thru direct mounting.
The dolphins' offspring are born with an approximate size of 3.2 ft (1mt.) and an average weight of 33 pounds (15 kg.). The first year in a dolphin's life is considered the most critical one, since the antibodies and natural defenses required in order to survive are obtained thru the mother's care and breast feeding during the first weeks. Only then the calf could produce its own antibodies, even thought the breast feeding must continue through the next year or two. Our veterinary specialist and trained staff supervise these activities assuring our dolphins' daily health and wellbeing.
Clinical analysis and previous studies thru ultrasound equipment allow us to closely follow our females gestation. The success of these achievements has resulted in the accumulation of valuable information as: the behavior of expecting mothers, whether it is a first timer or an expert in the matter; and the growing process of the individual with its calves, the mother with other individuals and among a group of a significant number of animals at a young age.
The most successful project of the Via Delphi Institute is the reproduction of Tursiops truncatus dolphins. It has been optimized during 17 years, reaching a meticulous system of veterinary medicine and medical training. As a result of this years of hard work, the Via Delphi's Breeding Program has reach a survival average of 70%. However, during the 2008 Via Delphi reached a 100% survival rate, achieving a never registered record of 11 successful dolphin births in Delphinus Xcaret during 2008. This goal inscribed Via Delphi's Breeding Program on the Guinness Record by manage the most dolphins born in a year in a single facility.
