The Dolphin Research Center Family is thrilled to announce the arrival of Pandora and A.J.'s calf!
The little sprite arrived early on this morning (Jan. 29, 2010) just before 1 a.m. Both mother and baby are doing great. Pandora is demonstrating calm, confident behavior. We've observed the baby nursing and strongly swimming. Even though this is her first calf, Pandora has had lots of babysitting experience and helped raise her younger sisters Calusa and Cayo. It sure looks like she's following in her mother Merina's flukeprints and will be a terrific mom.
Yesterday afternoon, Pandora began showing signs of labor with hunching and arching. We had observers at her lagoon from that point on to monitor her progress and they quickly put out the call when the baby arrived. As staff arrived to work this morning, a visit to the lagoons for a first look at the newest member of the family was everybody's priority!
The little one is a fourth-generation DRC dolphin following down the line of Great-Granddolphins Delphi and Bee. Congratulations to parents Pandora and A.J., grandparents Merina and Kibby and various other family members -- both delphinid and human.
As is the norm, it could be weeks before we are able to tell whether this is a boy or a girl and it will be even longer before he or she has a name. We'll make sure to keep you updated!
If you're in the Keys or planning a visit soon, come on in and see the new family member and all of the others in the pod!
6 comments:
Congrats on the new arrival!!! how exciting!
Hope all continues to go well!
Addie Moe
Twin Cities, MN
What wonderful news! We remember when Pandora was the new baby, and have enjoyed watching her grow--and now she's a mom....
John and Gayle Teget
Iowa and Marathon, FL
Congratulations--what exciting news! We remember when Pandora was the baby, and now she's the newest mom. It's been fun to see her grow up, and will be wonderful to watch her with her calf.
John and Gayle Teget
Iowa and Marathon, FL
Another new baby, this is great! Glad she/he is doing well. What a great picture, too. Hope to visit again soon.
My best to all....
Carmen
(Lauren's Mom) :-)
That's fantastic news!
Now you've got two successful new calves! Keep up the great work, and let's hope both calves grow to be strong, healthy, happy adults.
Congratulations! It's such wonderful news!Every time a baby is born at the DRC, I get so excited! I am coming down to see you guys in March and I can't wait to see the new babies! I'm so excited!
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