Spring is in the air at Sea World with the birth of a female Inshore Bottlenose dolphin on September 2.
The newest member of the Sea World dolphin family was approximately 80cm in length at birth. The calf's proud mum is Zippa, a 10 year old dolphin, who is proving to be a very good mum.
The yet to be named calf is doing very well, and has been observed swimming strongly and suckling milk from its mother.
Sea World Marine Mammal Trainer Erin King said that it was wonderful to have a new dolphin calf at Sea World and all the trainers are very excited by the birth.
"On the morning of September 2, we went to check on Zippa and we were delighted to discover that she had calved overnight."
"The calf was actually born a few weeks earlier then we were expecting - Zippa might have known that spring was in the air."
"The Sea World dolphin breeding program is one of the world's best and showcases how the extensive natural sandy bottom lagoon systems promote social enrichment and interaction, breeding and nursing by the dolphins", she said.
Sea World visitors can see the new mum and calf in the park's Dolphin Nursery pools located opposite the Sea Lion theatre.
The best way to see Sea World's newest dolphin is with a VIP Pass which offers unlimited entry to Sea World, Movie World and Wet'n'Wild until June 30 2011 for just $99.99.
Media are invited to come and meet Sea World's new baby dolphin.
Underwater footage and stills of the new calf and mother will be available on the day.
DETAILS
Date: Thursday 23 September 2010
Time: 10am
Place: Sea World (meet Renee Soutar at Reception)
