The birth of the first surviving bottle-nosed calf in Mexico, on September 1992, became a landmark in our reproduction program. Ever since this event, we have experienced numerous successful births in Delphinus Riviera Maya, Delphinus Xcaret and Delphinus Xel-Ha, which puts us in a remarkable position in world-wide statistics.

Our reproduction activities begin 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.

Our dolphins' offspring is 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 can the calf 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, since only in this type of circumstances can we research: 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.

Our reproduction programs, in accordance to the sustainable objectives of all of the Xcaret Group filial companies, have contributed to promote respect for wild life populations, allowing us to have the capacity to cover the specimen's requirement for our closest projects.

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