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Dos Delfines Preñadas en el Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
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Two Expectant Dolphins at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. - November 6, 2013 - Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is thrilled to announce the pregnancies of two resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Delilah and Lily. Both are due to deliver their calves in the spring of 2014, following a one-year gestation period. While Delilah, 39, has been a mom three times over the many years she has lived at the Gulfarium, this is the first pregnancy for Lily, 10, who herself was born at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in April of 2003. Staff is cautiously optimistic, as dolphins often do not have successful births their first time. The animal training and veterinary team uses ultrasound technology while the female voluntarily lays on the water surface, enabling the facility to track fetal development and monitor the health and well-being of the moms-to-be throughout the pregnancy. "We are excited about the potential for dolphin calves at the Gulfarium," says Chad Stouffer, Director of Animal Management. "We know this is something that the community has not seen for some time and we are taking steps to ensure the best possible outcome." Over the winter, visitors to the park are likely to see some changes to the dolphin habitat in preparation for the impending births, including a reorganization of the floating dock system to create an expanded birthing and nursing area. Most of the work will occur during a brief park closure the first week of December. In addition, the content of the dolphin show will be amended to cater to the progressing pregnancies. Other work around the park includes a new covering for the animal habitat that sits closest to Highway 98. The current blue, domed building is soon to be replaced by a more streamlined shade structure. |