The Brookfield Zoo Chicago welcomed a bottlenose dolphin calf early Saturday morning, the zoo’s first dolphin birth since 2014.
Allie, a 38-year-old bottlenose dolphin, gave birth at 12:22 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release. Zoo staff said Allie was immediately attentive to her calf and didn’t need extra assistance in tending to her newborn.
“This dolphin birth is a momentous occasion for Brookfield Zoo Chicago and is our first dolphin calf in over a decade,” said Dr. Mike Adkesson, Brookfield Zoo Chicago president and CEO.
“Every birth is a remarkable learning opportunity, and the scientific information we gain benefits marine conservation efforts. We are delighted to share this news with everyone who has followed Allie’s pregnancy journey. The birth offers a moment to celebrate the incredible work and dedication of our team to ensure the health and well-being of the animals in our care. Our teams have been closely monitoring Allie and her calf’s health throughout the pregnancy with meticulous detail and care.”
A dolphin calf, whether in the wild or under care at a facility like the zoo, faces many challenges during its first year of life.
“The first 30 days are a critical timeframe for Allie and her calf,” said Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai, Brookfield Zoo Chicago senior vice president of animal health, welfare and science. “We’re closely monitoring behaviors and milestones to gauge the calf’s progress, like its first breath of air, bonding with its mother, growth and an increase in nursing efficiency.”
This is the first dolphin birth at Brookfield Zoo Chicago since 2014.
The Zoo’s Seven Seas dolphin habitat, which reopened in February 2024 after undergoing a $10 million renovation, will be temporarily closed at this time. The zoo’s other dolphins will meet Allie and her new calf sometime in the near future, the zoo said.
