Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Gives Birth To Calf

Katryl is a 28-year-old Pacific white-sided dolphin and a new mother! She gave birth after 3 hours of labor at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium last week. There are only 16 Pacific white-sided dolphins in North American zoological facilities, so this birth is very significant for the population as well as to the scientific communities who study the marine mammals.

“As soon as those little tail flukes appear, your heart begins to race, and you know it’s only a matter of time before you are about to witness something incredibly amazing,” Lisa Takaki with the Shedd Aquarium said in a statement. “To watch a dolphin be born is beautiful, but to also see its natural instincts fully take over in a matter of seconds as it kicks its tail to propel its little body to the surface to take its first breath is overwhelmingly emotional.”

Katryl is immediately attentive to her calf too, making sure the little one gets to the surface to breath and guiding her around.

Watch the stunning footage below!

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