Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Born at Discovery Cove

[Wendy]

A 3.5 foot-long, 35-pound female dolphin was born at Discovery Cove on Friday, November 30 at 10:22 a.m.

dolphin-discovery-cove.jpg

This birth is notable because it marks the first time a dolphin at Discovery Cove has successfully given birth to a calf conceived through sex pre-selection technology.

This scientific advancement affords Discovery Cove the opportunity to manage its species’ genetic diversity and social environment. Scientists at the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Reproductive Research Center in San Diego, Calif., pioneered the ability to preferentially produce female or male dolphin offspring though sperm-sexing and artificial insemination. This recent birth represents the 15th dolphin calf produced worldwide using sex pre-selection technology.

The female calf is continuing to develop, nurse and bond with its mother; both are doing well. This is the 25th dolphin born at Discovery Cove since the park opened in 2000. Discovery Cove’s parent company, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, has one of the most successful dolphin breeding programs in the world.

[uscwest]

Wow, that's cool. But I wonder why they are doing that pre sex selection thing.