LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage welcomed a bouncing baby dolphin this month.
Born to first-time mother Bella at 6:44 p.m. on Aug. 16, this new arrival marks the fourth generation of dolphins represented at the habitat.
The proud mother and Animal Care team watched as the female calf swam unassisted to the water’s surface for her first breath immediately after delivery.
Move over baby 🦈... there’s a new baby 🐬 in #Vegas at @TheMirageLV’s Dolphin Habitat. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/9et9Vr4gzI
— Jason Dinant KTNV (@JasonDinant) August 28, 2019
Bella was instantly in "mom mode," nursing her baby and helping her to explore her new world.
“This newest addition reflects our ardent commitment to the educational work we do at the Dolphin Habitat to help preserve dolphins in the wild,” said David Blasko, Director of Animal Care at The Mirage. “She will serve an important role as an educational ambassador, and we welcome guests to come meet her and learn about these magnificent creatures.”
The Animal Care staff is taking great care to monitor Bella’s baby as she works toward important growth milestones in the coming days and weeks.
The first year of a dolphin calf’s life can be delicate, but the Secret Garden team remains cautiously optimistic that they have a healthy new addition to their aquatic family.
Bella and her calf are in the Birthing and Research pool, which is open to public viewing during the facility’s operational hours.
Alongside the new mother and calf are Bella’s grandmother, Duchess; mother, Huf N Puf, and Huf N Puf’s daughter, Coco; and Sofi and Sofi’s daughter, Karli, who celebrated her first birthday on Aug. 11.
The father of the new calf is Razzle, a 30-year-old that currently resides at Sea World San Diego.
Plans for naming the baby calf will be announced at a later date.
