Delphinus closes 2010 with 2 successful

Tursiops truncatus births.

As the year 2010 drew to a close, Delphinus, the most prestigious delphinarium chain in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, reported that two successful dolphin births had taken place in the company last November. Raúl Torres, Director of Veterinarian Medicine of the Delphinus dolphinarium chain, stated that the births had been scheduled to occur after the hurricane season, which takes place every year in the Caribbean from May to November.

“Female dolphins are fertile from the age of 7, and male dolphins after 13 years of age. We control conception naturally by physically separating males from females and allowing copulation between the specimens that have been selected for the dolphin reproduction program. The ultrasound is an important tool for us because it allows us to confirm the conception and then carefully monitor the mother’s health during the entire process. It also helps us determine the testicular maturity of the males who will be siring the calves”, explained the Delphinus specialist.

“Once it has been detected that the females have conceived, they are fed supplements of folic acid--which encourages the development of the fetus’ nervous system--along with vitamin B complex, vitamin E and probiotics, which improve the response of the mother and calf’s immune system,” explained Raúl Torres. He also added, “The gestation period of dolphins, or Tursiops truncatus, lasts for approximately 12 months, and during that time we veterinarians, as well as the trainers, closely monitor the development of the pregnancy. In the meantime, we put up special nets around the area where the females and their newborn calves will be living for the first three months. Algae grows around these nets, which serve as a natural “cushion” that will prevent the calf from getting hurt while the mother dolphin teaches her baby to swim.”

“One month before the scheduled delivery date, pregnant females cease all interaction sessions with dolphinarium visitors, although six months before that, the intensity of the activities are tapered down to protect the mother from overexertion. Then, after the birth occurs, the mother will spend three months in which she is solely devoted to her calf. During that time, we make sure the calf’s frequency of respiration and nursing are within the range that, after almost twenty years’ behavioral observation, we have determined as being normal. And in case there are any abnormalities, we are able to intervene quickly.”

Raúl Torres, who is responsible for the health of Delphinus’ marine mammals, commented on the overall results of the birthing season: “This year we have had four births, and we are expecting a fifth during the second half of January.”

In closing, Dr. Torres gave an explanation of the survival rate of Delphinus’ dolphins. “It is a fact of nature that not all organisms are able to survive, and for this reason two of the four calves were not able to make it. This can partly be explained because of the fact that these were the first calves born to their mothers, so we can understand it as part of their inexperience, but also as an essential part of their learning and development. We have had very good years, such as in 2008 when we had 11 calves born during the year, all of whom are now young dolphins in good health—which is how we achieved the Guinness World Record in March 2009 for recording the greatest number of dolphin calves born in a single place in a single year. But what is most important is that our growth is not based on breaking records every year—rather, it is based on offering optimum well-being for the mothers and their calves, which is what we consider sustainable growth. This philosophy has been demonstrated by the 45 dolphins that have been born and are now thriving in our dolphinarium facilities—including the two newborn calves—all of whom are counted in the 72 dolphins we have altogether.”