Born in Xcaret

This year looks like a good year for Via Delphi’s (part of the Xcaret Group) dolphin reproduction program.

The second youngster born at Xcaret this year arrived at 3:26 in the morning, Sunday, March 28th, after a half-hour labor. The sex of the newborn was determined by identification and observation work undertaken by Via Delphi’s Research Department. We are proud to have a beautiful new female. This raises the total of dolphins born at Xcaret to 21.

At 12:26 she nursed for the first time and continues to show a great capacity to socialize by repeatedly engaging in conduct that is categorized by the company’s biologists as playing with her mother.

The new baby, daughter of “Abril”--a second-time mother--and “Alux”, is called “Sayab”, which is Maya for “Water Spring”. She is large and has shown above normal activity by trying to nurse shortly after birth and by her very independent behavior.

Sayab was born headfirst but there were no complications. Dolphins normally are born tail first and a headfirst birth is considered risky. Since dolphins breath through the orifice, or blowhole, on the back of their heads, baby dolphins born this way run the risk of inhaling water (and drowning) before their mothers can push them to the surface for their first breaths of air. Vets monitor this kind of birth very carefully as soon as it is detected in order to help the mother if necessary. To date, all births at Xcaret have been successful thanks to the professionalism and commitment of Via Delphi’s highly skilled staff.

The vision of companies dedicated to the care of animals in captivity has, fortunately, changed over the lat several years. The main objectives changed from being for mere exhibition purposes to education and other activities that seek not only the well being of the species in confinement but f those in the wild, too. In this task the possibilities offered by a population of dolphins in captivity, where reproduction and the stability of social groups have developed just like i n their natural habitat, are invaluable.

Via Delphi -- the company in charge of Xcaret’s Dolphin Aquarium -- is committed to this task. It implemented its dolphin reproduction program over a decade ago and has made major scientific contributions with respect to Mexico’s dolphins. Today, the birth of baby No. 21 at Xcaret and six confirmed pregnancies scheduled for birth in December promise a very good year for our program.