•Worldwide record number of births.
•Second record: 100% de survival of the 11 pups born.
•It has been confirmed that 11 females are pregnant and will be giving birth in 2009

Delphinus, the chain of dolphinariums, closes 2008 with an unprecedented number of births in the industry of dolphin aquariums in the world: 11 successful births throughout 2008 and the dolphin pups are in great health so far. The births took place in January, February, March, April, September, November and, on December 5th. the last male dolphin expected for this season was born, attaining a
100% survival of the calves born in 2008 marking an unprecedented number among dolphinariums and aquariums in the whole world.

Francisco Cordova Lira mentioned in a press conference that “this is the realization of our company’s sustainability philosophy because we are ensuring that future generations will have the same opportunity we have to live with a marine species such as dolphins and, in contact with them we can evaluate our role in the conservation of each form of life in our planet. We congratulate ourselves that
the capture of wild dolphins is prohibited and that the breeding of dolphins is the only way that a company like ours can be expanded and offer this opportunity to the public. Actually, I can confirm that we have 11 pregnant females and we expect them to give birth in the fall of 2009… “ said proudly Francisco Cordova, Chief Executive of Delphinus and President of Instituto Via Delphi para la Investigación de los Mamíferos Acuáticos, AC. (Via Delphi Institute for the Investigation of Marine Mammals).

Interesting information regarding the dolphins’ breeding program:

• Delphinus veterinary team monitors the ideal moment for dolphin females ovulation using ultrasound.
• Breeding groups are formed with receptive males and females for mating.
• 2 months after fertilization, veterinaries confirm the pregnancy using ultrasound, which will last 12 months of gestation.
• During pregnancy, veterinaries enrich the pregnant female diet with vitamins and other supplements to achieve the best possible development of the future calf.
• As of the tenth month, pregnant females stop interacting with the visitors and wait for the moment of birth under their veterinaries’ supervision.
• Birth lasts 45 minutes in average, from the moment the dolphin’s tail fin shows until the little one breaths for the first time.
• Once the dolphin has been born, the mother will last between 6 to 8 hours to push the placenta out. Regularly, the calves are not breastfed until this occurs. The pup weighs 14 kilograms in average at birth.
• At birth, dolphin pups have little hairs similar to dogs or cats whiskers. It is thought that these
hairs are tactile, because they help them find their mothers breasts to get the their milk.
• The pup must be breastfed before 14 hours to receive the colostrum, the first nutrient-rich milk, but mainly, rich in maternal antibodies that will help fight the viruses and bacteria present in its environment.
• In order to ensure the pup’s healthy development, it remains next to the mother until the age of 2, in spite of the fact that at this age it is almost the size of an adult dolphin. This contact is
fundamental, since the mother will teach the calf everything it needs to know in order to survive in the ocean. In the case of dolphins in bordered natural environments, such as the case of Delphinus, the calf will learn faster through the mother’s example the husbandry behaviors for the care of its health as well as for the interaction with human beings.

In order to match a dolphin’s birth video, visit: http://mx.youtube.com/watch?v=sbqlb3QlFI0

Delphinus, a 100% Mexican company, leader in creating experiences with dolphins and example of sustainability for the whole world.

With Gracias to the Cancun Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

Book Delphinus for Dreams Cancun, Xel Ha, or the Riviera Maya with Susan in Cancun susanincancun@cancunandrivieramaya.com and recieve 10% Off!