Male Dolphin Calf Born at Brookfield Zoo near Chicago

The Brookfield zoo celebrated the addition of a new member at the zoo-a healthy male dolphin calf weighing 40 pounds.

The Chicago Zoological Society that manages Brookfield Zoo announced Thursday the birth of a male dolphin calf born to 31-year-old Tapeko. The calf and his mom are currently off exhibit so that the young one gets enough time to bond with the mother and get acquainted with other dolphins in the group.

Born on October 16, the 3.5 foot unnamed calf is not the first born of Tapeko. The experienced mother has reared three calves, one was her grandson, and two daughters; Allison, 7, and Noelani,9, .  Both her daughters are members of the dolphin group at Brookfield.

 It is important that after birth, the calf demonstrate certain important developmental milestones including nursing and slipstreaming- where the calf rests in his mom's slipstream and the mother uses her own energy to help the calf glide. The new calf under constant supervision, was seen exhibiting all the key behaviors. However, the officials remain cautiously optimistic.

"We know that the first 30 days are extremely critical in the calf's life," said Rita Stacey, marine mammal curator for the Chicago Zoological Society.

The death rate of dolphin calves is high in this crucial period in the wild and even for those under professional care. 

"This is an important time for our breeding group of females," added Stacey. "As an experienced mom, Tapeko is able to demonstrate to the younger females how to care for a newborn calf." 

The zoo anxiously is anxiously awaiting the arrival of another member as Spree another dolphin,11, is expected to give birth to her first calf later this fall. Other members of the dolphin group are Chinook, 30, sire of the new calf, and Allie, 26.

Though the mom and calf pair is off display, the Seven Seas underwater viewing gallery will remain open.