BROOKFIELD, Ill. — Brookfield Zoo Chicago is celebrating a major milestone with the birth of a bottlenose dolphin calf — the first at the zoo in more than ten years.
The calf was born at 12:22 a.m. Saturday, after its mother Allie, a 38-year-old bottlenose dolphin, began showing signs of labor early Friday morning. According to the zoo, the newborn dolphin is estimated to weigh between 33 and 37 pounds and measure approximately 115 to 120 centimeters in length.
“Every birth is a remarkable learning opportunity, and the scientific information we gain benefits marine conservation efforts,” said Dr. Mike Adkesson, President of Brookfield Zoo Chicago. “The birth offers a moment to celebrate the incredible work and dedication of our team to ensure the health and wellbeing of the animals in our care.”
A Carefully Monitored Birth
Allie was under close observation by zoo teams throughout her pregnancy, and the birth went smoothly without requiring any hands-on assistance. After being born, the calf immediately kicked up to the water’s surface for its first breath, a crucial milestone in dolphin development.
The birthing process was supported not only by Allie but also by Tapeko, another experienced dolphin mother who was present during the delivery. The zoo reported that Allie was instantly attentive to her calf and displayed strong maternal behavior from the start.
Critical First 30 Days
Zoo officials emphasized that the first month of the calf’s life is a critical period.
“We’re closely monitoring behaviors and milestones to gauge the calf’s progress — like its first breath of air, bonding with its mother, growth and an increase in nursing efficiency,” said Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai, Senior Vice President of Animal Health, Welfare and Science at the zoo.
Although dolphin calves are born fully developed after a 12-month gestation, they require extensive attention from their mothers for nutrition, navigation, and energy conservation during the early weeks.
What Happens Next?
The calf’s father will be determined in the coming months, once Allie and the newborn are more acclimated to the larger dolphin group at the zoo. The zoo is also expected to announce a name for the calf later this summer.
In the meantime, Brookfield Zoo has temporarily closed its “Seven Seas” dolphin habitat to ensure a quiet and safe environment for Allie and her newborn to bond and thrive.
Have you ever seen a dolphin birth or visited the Seven Seas habitat at Brookfield Zoo? Share your memories and excitement about the zoo’s newest arrival in the comments below on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com!
