Welcome Piquet’s calf
At 10:34 last night, we welcomed Pacific white-sided dolphin Piquet’s calf into the Shedd Aquarium family. Both mother and calf appear to be doing well. The calf immediately swam to the surface for its first breath, then began to swim and bond with Piquet (pee-KEHT). These are the first of many critical milestones the calf must achieve in the coming days and months; our animal care staffers are monitoring mom and calf around the clock, watching for continued bonding and the start of nursing.
Shedd’s experts are using the knowledge gained through previous births and through the Pacific white-sided dolphin cooperative breeding program to provide the best care for Piquet and her calf. Allowing them undisturbed time together is the most important thing right now. Because of that, Secluded Bay will be closed temporarily to the public. The rest of the Abbott Oceanarium is open and accessible.
The calf was sired by Lii (LEE-ee) while Piquet was at Miami Seaquarium for a breeding exchange. Both Shedd and the Florida facility are part of the cooperative breeding program for this species. Fewer than 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins reside in North American aquariums and zoos.
Watch for more news here as well as on Shedd's Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Read our most recent update on Piquet and her calf.
Karen Furnweger, web editor
Welcome Baby Dolphin! Can't wait to hear of your progress.
Congratulations Piquet! Being a new mom is rough work, good luck nursing!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 29, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Piquet's calf is awesome-Now that's the best of Chicago's Natives born has to offer-and the Dolphin"s a Gemini-perhaps name the beautiful creature just That-GEMINI.
all the best Karen,say Hi to Katrina and Ken for me -thanks cal shummon/u.s.congressionalveterans-liasion
Posted by: cal shummon | May 29, 2012 at 01:06 PM
congratulations to Piquet!
Posted by: Sarah khan | May 29, 2012 at 01:08 PM
So exciting news!! I am like jumping up and down!!! Hope everything goes well and baby, NURSE OKAY?!!! :) I also hope this baby is a boy!!!
Posted by: Claire | May 29, 2012 at 01:25 PM
New Life is always a wonderful thing to hear about! Welcome to Piquet's baby at the Shedd Aquarium. Can't wait to see both Mother and baby dolphin together when the time is right. Congratulations also to the staff at Shedd. What an exciting event for them to be a part of. I am sure everyone is thrilled.
Posted by: Nancy d. | May 29, 2012 at 02:42 PM
Welcome to the World Baby Dolphin! Congratulations Piquet and Shedd Staff.
Posted by: Sarah | May 29, 2012 at 04:19 PM
We love the baby dolphin!
Conrad and Max
Posted by: Emily | May 29, 2012 at 04:45 PM
Amazing, can't wait to see the Baby Dolphin.
Posted by: Eric | May 30, 2012 at 07:22 AM
Hi I am just offering a name that is cute and special about the baby's birthday witch is Nato
From,
Fiona Carroll
age 8
Posted by: Fiona | May 30, 2012 at 07:54 AM
The new dolphin calf is so cute i hope i can come see it soon
Posted by: Jessica | June 09, 2012 at 11:19 AM
"MEMORIAL"
Name the calf: "MEMORIAL"
it is a good name,
it has a good meaning and it's for a male or female.
"MEMORIAL"
Posted by: Samuel D. Dent | September 21, 2012 at 09:25 PM