Fin-tastic surprise for June: First dolphin birth at Brookfield Zoo since 2014

After more than a decade, Brookfield Zoo has announced that Allie, the bottlenose dolphin, is expecting. Allie is in her second trimester and due to give birth this June. Her calf will be the first bottlenose dolphin born at the zoo since December 2014.

The zoo’s experienced veterinary team is closely tracking Allie and her calf’s development with regular check-ups, including ultrasounds and blood tests, to ensure both are progressing safely. Allie has been very cooperative, allowing the staff to document important milestones in the calf’s growth. Thanks to decades of research and knowledge gained from the zoo’s programs, the care teams are optimistic about a successful birth this summer. Their goal is to ensure a smooth delivery and healthy development for the calf, setting the stage for enhanced welfare practices for dolphins in the wild and captivity. 

Allie’s pregnancy presents a vital opportunity to study both prenatal and neonatal dolphin care, as the first year of life for a calf, whether in the wild or under professional care, is full of challenges and important milestones. In the wild, nearly 20 percent of calves born to first-time mothers do not survive their first year.

As a four-time mother, Allie may start showing signs of labor as early as May. Dolphin pregnancies typically last about 12 months. Calves are born tail-first to minimize the risk of drowning. Once the calf is born, the mother must immediately bring it to the surface for its first breaths. Following the birth, the dolphin habitat will be temporarily closed so the staff can closely monitor both mother and calf during those crucial first days and weeks.

Until then, the dolphin habitat will remain open, and visitors are encouraged to come see Allie and the rest of the pod. Visitors can easily recognize Allie by her unique features: faint white lines along the sides of her head and chest, and a gray underside with a pinkish hue around the base of her snout.

Stay tuned for updates as the zoo monitors this exciting and crucial moment for both mother and calf. For further information and hours of operation, follow this link to Brookfield Zoo’s website.