Mother dolphin Vi, alongside baby calf during swimming exercise in a special pen at Ocean Adventure Park.
Photo by Malou Dungog
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Ocean Adventure, a marine theme park located in Subic Bay, announced the first live birth of a bottlenose dolphin in human care in the Philippines.
The little baby dolphin, less than one meter long and weighs approximately 12 kilos was born to first-time mother, 11-year old Vi, on July 6, 2013.
Carlo Magno, director for Marine Mammal Operation said when a routine ultrasound on Vi last February revealed the pregnancy, plans began in earnest for the new arrival.
A special birthing pen and large nursing lagoon were built, and cameras and an observation deck were installed to enhance monitoring, he said.
Magno said, Vi’s labor and delivery were not without drama.
World renowned marine mammal veterinarian Dr. Robert Braun arrived in the Philippines, ten days before the event to lead the final preparation for the birth.
Dr. Braun, in consultation with other international marine mammal experts, and assistance of Ocean Adventure veterinarians and trainers, delivered a healthy baby calf.
“”From the moment of birth, Vi has been a great mom. She’s done everything right! She pushed the baby to the surface for his first breath, helped him avoid the walls, and increased his lung capacity by taking him for progressively longer and deeper swims underwater,” Magno said.
Baby dolphins are very vulnerable, Ocean Adventure resident veterinarian Leo Suarez said.
“Every scratch on their delicate skin is a potentially lethal source of infection until their immune system develops several days after birth. They must swim continually to stay afloat with a soft tail that takes hours to become rigid enough for efficient swimming,” Suarez said.
The calf will be at risk for the first 30 days, but we will continue doing everything humanly possible to insure a successful outcome, Suarez added.
Ocean Adventure has also long history of successful sea lion births – eight pups in all.
