Shedd Aquarium visitors in Chicago witnessed a rare event: a dolphin giving birth. The event as filmed and posted to social media, which attracted more than 10,000 visitors. Named Katrl, it was the dolphin’s first pregnancy as the calf was ushered into the world by 40 animal experts and veterinarians close by.
Small flukes were reported to appear around 6:02 a.m., senior director of marine animals, as Lisa Takaki noted the timing was impeccable. Labor carried on for three hours and 12 minutes. As the hand stroke 9:14 a.m., Katrl rose to the surface for a final push at the Abbott Oceanarium to spectator’s awe. The calf weighed in at 25 pounds and measured 3 ft. in length.
Takaki informs that the dolphin and its baby are healthy few hours after the birth, which is a crucial period. Her team of scientists is scrutinizing the pair, observing behavioral details to ensure they are normal according to other typical births.
Katrl is a Pacific white-sided dolphin, a unique aquatic animal to be on display, with only 16 present in North American zoological attractions. This instance is also informative for marine biologists who are presently studying the reproductive and biological patterns of this dolphin species.
CEO, Dr. Bridget Coughlin, said, “It was incredible,” extremely pleased with the attention.
Simultaneously, whale observers witnessed a killer whale giving birth alongside their boat. Tech Times reports.
Image credit: Shedd Aquarium