  
A two-week-old bottle-nosed dolphin swims alongside its mother at the Indianapolis Zoo.
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Feb. 13 — A strong and healthy bottle-nosed dolphin calf was born at the Indianapolis Zoo on Feb. 2, the zoo announced in a recent press release. The delivery followed a 12-month gestation period, which is typical for bottle-nosed dolphins. The as-yet-unnamed male calf was born to mother Ripley at approximately 6:40 A.M. after two hours of intense labor, said the press release.
Initially Ripley did not make any attempts to nurse the calf, causing concern among zoo veterinarians and trainers. Ripley's previous calf, a female born in August, 2000, died within weeks from multiple infections after Ripley failed to nurse. This newborn arrived to better circumstances, with two lactating dolphin mothers at the zoo able to act as surrogates. He was paired with Nova, a dolphin mother with a 15-month old female calf, who allowed him to nurse on multiple occasions during the first several days.
The calf was re-introduced to Ripley on Feb. 7 and she began to nurse him. Zoo officials think Ripley was just behind the mother learning curve, and that the calf's experience nursing Nova, as well as Nova and China's maternal behavior, got Ripley up to speed within a week.
It was the first time keepers at the Indianapolis Zoo had seen one dolphin nurse another's calf. Other zoos have reported what's called surrogate parenting, but it doesn't happen often.
The Indianapolis Zoo veterinary and keeper staff are optimistic about the potential survival of the calf, said the press release. Ripley's calf will be monitored 24 hours a day for the first few weeks to of its life to make sure that it is developing properly and without complication.
By Jason Robey
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Name: Bottle-Nosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Primary Classification: Odontoceti (Toothed Whales) Location: Worldwide Habitat: Tropical coastal waters, open ocean. Diet: Fish, crustaceans, mollusks. Size: Up to 13 ft in length and 1,100 lbs in weight. Description: Short bottle-shaped beak, tall dorsal fin, conical teeth, largest of the beaked dolphins, large brain. Cool Facts: Will aid fellow dolphins in distress, allowing them to breathe by supporting them at the water's surface; born with hair on their beaks. Conservation Status: Locally Common Major Threat: Entanglement in fishing nets, pollution. What Can I Do?: Visit The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society for information on how you can help. |
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