Overview
- Allie, a 38-year-old bottlenose dolphin, gave birth at 12:22 a.m. on June 7 after more than an hour of labor with veteran mother Tapeko nearby to assist.
- Veterinarians estimate the calf weighs 33–37 pounds and measures 115–120 centimeters, noting healthy breathing and its ability to slip-stream behind its mother.
- The Seven Seas dolphin habitat will remain closed as staff observe bonding, nursing efficiency and developmental milestones through the critical first 30 days.
- Zoo officials say data gathered from this birth will bolster their long-running wild dolphin research programs and support wider marine conservation efforts.
- Researchers will perform a paternity test in the coming months and plan to announce a name for the new calf later this summer.