SeaWorld San Antonio Welcomes Another Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Calf Amid Baby Boom
A wave of new life has swept through SeaWorld San Antonio, marking a significant milestone in their ongoing “baby boom.” This time, it’s the arrival of another Pacific white-sided dolphin calf, the marine park announced on Monday. This latest addition follows the recent births of a beluga whale and another Pacific white-sided dolphin, both making their debut in late June.
Seventeen-year-old Ohana gave birth to a healthy female calf, measuring approximately 19 inches long and weighing 21 pounds. This momentous event took place under the vigilant care of animal specialists and the park’s veterinary team. The calf instinctively swam to the surface for its first breath and has since been seen swimming alongside its mother.
Katie Kolodziej, curator of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Antonio, expressed her excitement: “Our team has been waiting on this moment for months and it’s finally here. With three new babies now in our habitat, the team is looking forward to providing the best possible care and enrichment for the calves and their mothers, as well as watching them grow and become a part of our existing pod.”
SeaWorld San Antonio’s press release noted that the marine park will continue round-the-clock observations for at least another month, ensuring the well-being of the calves. Data collection and monitoring are ongoing, providing valuable insights into their health and development. Visitors can catch glimpses of the newborns and receive updates from the zoological staff during special educational chats.
In the weeks since the initial births, the calves have been introduced to each other and integrated into the larger pod, which now boasts a total of 10 beluga whales and nine Pacific white-sided dolphins. The “baby boom” began earlier this summer with the births of a harbor seal, a California sea lion, and an endangered radiated tortoise, all of which are reportedly in good health.
SeaWorld San Antonio continues to celebrate this remarkable period of growth, sharing the joy and wonder of new life with its visitors while ensuring the highest standards of care for its marine inhabitants.
