Dolphin born at Mediterraneo park
Picture: Marineland Ltd.
A 12-year-old bottlenose dolphin called Onda has given birth to a calf at Laguna Mediterraneo, a first for the park in Bahar ic-Caghaq.
The calf is one metre long and weighs13kg.
Its mother was brought to Malta from Cuban waters in 2003 along with the father, Lucas.
Marineland Ltd, the company that runs the Mediterraneo Marine Park, said it had been following a species propagation programme. Veterinary surgeons, trainers, biologists, voluntary workers and the staff at the park had been closely followed the gestation of the young and inexperienced Onda.
Body temperature and behaviour were regularly monitored together with blood tests and ultrasounds check-ups to establish the precise moment of delivery. It all started with the waters breaking and subsequent caudal fin-first deliverance (normally the calves are born tail first).
"Though inexperienced, Onda, guided by a deep maternal instinct has behaved like a perfect mum!" Marineland said.
It may seem strange but the first thing dolphins must do, after giving birth, is to keep the calf underwater and not guide him immediately to the surface unlike what one could be tempted to assume. Keeping the calf underwater is akin to spanking a newborn baby. It allows the lungs to expand when the calf is taking its first breaths, the company said.
Mother and calf are now swimming in a pool of the lagoon especially prepared for the birth. They are being kept under 24-hours surveillance by the park's veterinary surgeon, biologists, trainers and volunteers (Maltese, Portuguese and Italian students of Biology, Veterinary Medicine and other Zoological Sciences).
The calf is feeding normally.
Whether in a monitored environment or in the open seas, dolphins giving birth for the first time are always at risk. In fact, the probability of success is less than 60% but increases day by day.
During the calf's first days of life the mother's energy waste is enormous. Suffice to consider that from 7-8 kg of fish per day she can go on to approximately 20 kg.
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Andrew debono
Aug 4th 2010, 18:19
Another point I want to add is that the marine park is a member of the EAAM for those that never hear about it ,it is the European Association for Aquatic Mammals in other words this park has reference, contacts and plenty of expert people (in Europe and worldwide) in the field to give advice an making sure that guidelines are followed and the well being of all the animals present in the park are taken care of. Do not put the local authorities to blame as I am convinced that they are involved in checking the park in the interest of the animals.
For those who may have visited the park in the last years there was a constant improvement.
If for those who feel that the operators should not make money from the animals that take care of because it is a business also eco-turism, whale watching, safari expeditions is also a business. So if there was a dolphin minding it own business in the sea there might be a boat full of people following it with people wanting to have a closer look and taking photos of them .
Andrew debono
Aug 4th 2010, 18:08
@ Franco Farrugia. Are you serious with your comments?
You mentioned you are against breeders so there is not point you giving your opinion about breeding. Also since it was a successful birth it does not make a difference if it was a natural conception or an artificial insemination, what is important is that the calf is fine and healthy. Yes the first days of the calf life are very important it is also in the wild. If you find online information about newborn dolphins you will know and more critical in the wild.
For those who are questioning vets, biologist, trainers if they are professionals or not. Yes at this point Mediterraneo has proven that the animals are well taken care of. Look at the photo and you dont see an underweight mother nor calf.
s micallef
Aug 4th 2010, 16:07
Liz Sandeman,
it would be much better if people like you get your information right before writing in these blogs.
you have two serious flaws in your argument.
no 1. i can assure you there is no comparison between watching a video of a dolphin and watching one live in front of you.the educational aspects that these parks are capable of offering is second to none.
no 2. the dolphins perform not only for food but for a variety of different rewards, like games , toys, interaction with the trainers and other methods of positive reinforcement.
i can assure you that each animal gets the correct ammount of food that they would need in a day.
go and have a look at the dolphins and tell me if you think they are underweight.
I can assure you that they arent.if we follow your argument this would mean
that the dolphins obey each and every time because they are obviously well fed.
Robert Aquilina
Aug 4th 2010, 13:22
I cannot believe many of the below comments... Thank god you have a baby dolphin to show to your children......go and see if they are forced to work..or if they feel they are in a prison...I bet many of you haven’t even been to the park once but you still comment senselessly...and I bet as well that many of you comment and still take your children to see the ay dolphin.
We got used to same silly comments by the same silly and senseless people who have nothing else to do in life except for jotting down negative comments on everything that happens here in Malta.. if its a new road, a new investment, the bird park, hunting & fishing..... Negative always negative... well done to the management & guys who helped to make this possible, may you be blessed with more dolphins...
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Aug 3rd 2010, 21:35
Poor, poor dolphin, what a bleak future slaving away all her life.
Brian Vassallo
Aug 3rd 2010, 19:09
Shame on the Maltese authorities ! It is ruthless to depict the birth of a dolphin calf as if it was a victory for dolfinaruims. The harm that these poor animals are suffering day upon day is beyond imagination. These animals need the freedom and space to travel as their instinct commands them and not be subjected to the deafening sound of their own echo waves bouncing from one part of the concrete tank to another. When will humans really start to understand ?!
Rosalind Agius
Aug 3rd 2010, 18:40
Born already a prisioner, poor dolpin. What sad news.
joseph quintano
Aug 3rd 2010, 22:54
how ironic, we say that poor dolphin was born in slavery and then we forget that millions of humans are not even being given the opportunity to be born.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 4th 2010, 08:54
What's the difference between the life of a human being and that of any other animal? Just because you belong to one species does not mean that you have to pooh-pooh the rest of them. And I think your argument has a serious flaw - the two issues cannot be put together. Qed tizloq fin-niexef, jigifieri.
Liz Sandeman
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:50
Some children may never see a dolphin at close range but no child has ever seen a live dinosaur and they all know what one looks like - with so many educational/wildlife tv stations nowadays, it's morally unacceptable to keep any animal in captivity, especially an animal such as a dolphin that can travel up to 100 miles in any one day. It's a cruel and barbaric trade and many operators continue to stock their facilties with wild caught dolphins and whales - a wild orca has just been captured in Russian waters, destined for captivity. Many female dolphins captured are pregnant or once captured, leave their dependant calf behind - how on earth can anyone think this is acceptable? People will always use the stupid argument of eating meat or fox hunting etc - but each case is different and we are talking of keeping sentient animals in captivity here - performing for food - they don't perform - they get little food - a classic way of "breaking" in an animal so they do what the trainers want them to do. Do you seriously think the orcas who kill their trainers don't know what they are doing?
j.schembri
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:18
@Antione Grima, jiena naf nisa li jinsabu imdejqa u imsawta u xorta ghandhomhames tit-tfal. Naf min kien irrapjat u ghandu it-tfal, dawn zgur ma kienux ferhana b'dak li gralhom. L-argument tieghek huwa bla bazi u ma iregix
M.Farrugia
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:14
@andrew debono If you decide to live in a small room for the whole of your life, just doing nothing but earning money to the ego owners, I will be the first one to support the dolphinaria. You have to learn more about these dolphins and circus animals are treated to support these places. Do you think that the owners are so stupids to declare that these animals are not in the hands of profession people.
Liz Sandeman
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:07
It is to Malta's shame that this facility exists within sight of the ocean which is these animals rightful home.
The parents of this new calf were taken from Cuban waters. Wild captures to source new dolphins for the escalating demand from marine parks and swim with dolphin programmes endangers the future population of wild dolphins as the animals targetted are usually breeding age males and females. By accepting these dolphins Malta are party to a trade which continues to threaten dolphin populations around the globe.
This latest birth has resulted in yet another dolphin that will never see or hear the sea and instead it will be forced to interact with paying customers and perform for the public in what will no doubt prove to be a shortened lifespan than that enjoyed by its' wild counterparts.
It would be preferable from both a moral and conservation point of view if Malta were to promote responsible tourism - seeing these mammals in the wild which is an option Malta is lucky to be able to offer, rather than keeping them in captivity for profit.
Liz Sandeman
Marine Connection
London
V.Briffa
Aug 3rd 2010, 16:23
Just give us a break please ...
Why we never here of protest from our big brothers who have aquariums filled with sharks and have a column of thousands daily, is there not such a place in London, Barcelona, Genoa etc etc ...
A. Bonnici
Aug 3rd 2010, 12:28
The irony of it all is that, its the own exsistence of these marine parks which leads to the ttrade and slaughter of 20000 dolphins a year in Tahji, Japan. Marine parks all over the world can pay these fishermen in Japan up to $150, 000 for each dolphin . Please Refer to www.takepart.com/thecove . 'The Cove' is a shocking documentary done by Rick O'barry (the former trainer of flipper the tv series) about the silent massacre of these beautiful mammals.
D. Farrugia
Aug 3rd 2010, 00:50
What an irony...
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100802/local/marine-acrobats
G. Mifsud
Aug 3rd 2010, 12:23
Nothing in the world is perfect, compromise is always the best way forward. It's a fact that dolphins are denied the freedom of the seas but in compensation they are being well looked after, much better than wild dolphins, which are butchered and caught up in fishing nets. Maybe fishermen should not fish either.
If it were not for responsible, professional operators like Mediterraneo who follow extremely strict procedures to minimise hardship to the dolphins, children will never see dolphins at close range except those who happen to be on a yacht far out at sea.
How many of the negative bloggers keep dogs on a leash, birds in cages, eat meat from butchered cows, pigs and fish, which in an ideal situation should all be allowed to live as nature intended.
SMuscat
Aug 2nd 2010, 23:07
This is indeed a sad day for a baby dolphin to be born into a very small barren world surrounded by concrete walls. Salt air can only be tasted during the jumps they make them perform. A very cruel life of a freedom so close, yet so far! Questions that need to be seriously asked here are the following: Are any competent authorities checking out the welfare of the animals and their surroundings? Are they being kept under the regulations stated by the EU directive concerning zoos? Is their budget focused on the welfare of the animals or more on the marketing of their image?How many of the animals that were brought into Malta (with the exception of the baby that was just born) were born in captivity?If any, why were no birth certificates ever issued? How many other dolphins were killed in the process of capture of the dolphins that were kept in Malta? Are the dolphins really happy - very few can answer this question and definitely it is none of the people commenting here because none of us have extensive experience in dealing with wild dolphins?These are the questions that people need to ask
Paul Vella
Aug 3rd 2010, 12:39
@ S Muscat
Much as I am against cruelty to animals I don't think that the calf is suffeing unduly. He is being monitored, he's with a doting mum and most of all he does not know any better. I am no expert in animal welfare but if the parents were not happy in their environment would they have mated?
Franco Farrugia
Aug 4th 2010, 08:59
@ Paul Vella - How do you know that 'mating' was carried out? Where you there? Can you ascertain us that this happened? Could it be that the female was impregnated artificially? The place swarms with paid 'vets' and 'experts' and 'biologists'.
Andrew Debono
Aug 4th 2010, 18:29
@ Franco.
That is the reason why they are called experts, they get paid for their knowledge like in any other profession. At least all the people realised that the park is a business unlike many 'non-profit organizations' that live on donations just to hang out a few posters and billboards, doing a protest here and there just to show they still exist, plus taking opportunity of national and EU fund for exagerated propaganda.
If you are questioning Paul Vella can you prove otherwise .You werent there either or you know something no one in this blog knows?
victor rodenas
Aug 2nd 2010, 22:10
As long as people go to see such shows ,the demand is there.Thousands of people go to Disneyland to see Water World,it is always packed with people who pay good money to see the shows.It is useless grumbling because everybody go to see such shows.Does anybody think that when you go to Disney you will not also visit Waterworld?
Ivan Cocker
Aug 2nd 2010, 21:21
I am always amused, so when someone brought in a tiger many applauded him in these blogs and the government issued laws for exotic dangerous animals and when something like this happen from captive breed examples we start grumbling.
Many of you do understand that captive bred species can be alien to the wild, dolphins are pack animals and this calf will have a problem to be accepted in any wild group, with the result that probably it would be killed or die. Apart try to teach a captive animal to hunt!
That is the law of nature ... let the wild remain where it is!
If this poor creature was caught from the wild then that would have been something to demonstrate but this is another thing, it is no different from any captive hawk, captive boa, persian cat or pet canary having an offspring!
For me shame is on those who treat animals as equal as men, dressing them up in silly costumes and think with the same human mentality and emotion. Animals have their own way of habits and please respect them!
Antoine Grima
Aug 2nd 2010, 18:08
If the dolphins werenot happy , they would have never given birth , and if the adults are happy , so will the new born .
Franco Farrugia
Aug 2nd 2010, 19:33
Why? Did the animals come to tell you how happy they are?
Fabien Sant Fournier
Aug 2nd 2010, 22:12
what an impeccable bit of logic!
think again...
http://www.thescavenger.net/animals/dolphins-in-captivity-may-commit-suicide.html
Franco Farrugia
Aug 4th 2010, 08:57
Do you know for sure how the female got pregnant? Where you there? Can you attest to what happened? Could it be that the female was artificially impregnated with the sperm? Eh? Eh? You should know what you are on about before you write.
I bet that if one had to pay 1 eurocent for every comment made, there wouldn't be half the comments there are now!
Joanne Vella
Aug 4th 2010, 12:20
No offence but if that stament were true and pregnacy depended on happiness then the human race would have dies out long ago
Steve Zammit
Aug 2nd 2010, 17:37
I am very happy that Onda has succesfully given birth.
BUT honestly now this young dolpin will have to spend all of its life in a small water pool surrounded by concrete walls. Release the Dolphins back in the Cuban waters where they truly BELONG!! Why is it the only thing we ever think about is MONEY this and money that even if it involves the well being of our mammal friends-dolphins???
M. Farrugia
Aug 2nd 2010, 17:16
Who can say that the father is Lucas. It might be a product of artificial semination. Did any Maltese vet visited the dolphin during the pregnancy ? Was the dolphin giving shows when it was pregnant? Was it disturbed by swim with the dolphins activity? The marineland management tried to give the impression that everything is under control but then it stated that the survival risk is 60% but increase day by day. When was the calf born? As far as I know the breeding programme was never part of the Med. Park policy, Are they now going to start a breeding programme in Malta? Shame on all those who make money through cruelty to animals.
Alan Knight OBE
Aug 2nd 2010, 17:42
This is a sad day for Malta ! This baby Dolphin should be born to be wild not born into a life of captivity. Once again Malta wants to establish itself as a centre for animal cruelty not content with shooting thousands of migratory birds you now want to establish yourself as a centre for dolphin breeding.
Alan Knight
International Animal Rescue
A.Vella
Aug 2nd 2010, 16:11
Try to watch this film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KRD8e20fBo
Andrew Debono
Aug 2nd 2010, 16:49
Ok A Vella you gave us a link to the trailer of the cove. I am against animal cruelty that has been shown in that film but what does your link got to do with the marine park?. I dont think they slaughter them and get a fresh stock.
But as i mentioned in my previous comments this is an eye opener of what happens in the seas and not a lot of people know about.
Fabien Sant Fournier
Aug 2nd 2010, 22:07
Debono, if you had watched the cove you would know where places like Medterraneo source their animals from, and the millions of Euros involved in this industry!
A.Vella
Aug 3rd 2010, 01:41
The film is not based only on the killings of the dolphins infact they are caught for the aquariums such as this and the rest which are not chosen are slaughtered
dolphins in captivity is animal cruelty and it seems you don not condemn it
Vincent Galea
Aug 2nd 2010, 15:35
I can't help wondering why we think we have the right to exploit and humiliate such magical and delightful creatures.
They are used to roaming for many miles, not swimming in a circle doing flips at shows.
s micallef
Aug 2nd 2010, 15:17
its amazing how many people put pen to paper to write against dolphins in captivity.and then these people are ok with birds being kept in cages,dogs being kept on the roof all day long without company, horses being left in the sweltering heat. ect. i would agree that dolphins werent born to live in pools, but neither were dogs born to live in houses, or horses to pull carriages.at the end of the day the dolphins in the park have got security , medical care, food and other things which are very important for their well being, unlike most domestic pets in malta.
Andrew Debono
Aug 2nd 2010, 16:29
I agree with S Micallef. The negative comments are for a handfull of dolphins kept in the marine park that as the article says they are being taken care of by professional people. How many dolphins are dying in the seas. I beleive the number are much bigger and of greater concern than animals being taken care of.
Ultimately domestic animals came originally from the wild an these animal are still captive in their own way. No a lot of people mention this unless it is an animal cruelty case.
As for the what it is being said in a negative way towars the marine park I beleive that the owners of the park have all the permits and inspections done by the competent authorities to keeps these animals or else this park would have been closed down long time ago. So if all is done by the book there is nothing for you anti-captivity people to say. You are entitle to your opinion but let others have their own opinion too.
Andrew Debono
Aug 2nd 2010, 16:38
As for those that are saying they do not agree that the marine park is making profit using animals and that the poor baby is going to be in captivity all its life, remember that there are a lot of animal breeders that breed animals for profit and it seems that there is no problem with that.
@ Alison Bezzina...... nice way to promote your website.... bad idea in my opinion. Some of the info is correct but you are only filtering out the complete information and facts of dolphins.
@ Gena Wilcox FREEDOM is a state of mind, no one is free. Especially animals that are affected by the environment they live in, by the their status in the food chain and by human interfierence.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 2nd 2010, 19:32
@ Andrew Debono - Sir, your argument is correct but know that yes, there are those amongst us, myself in the forefront, who utterly and unreservedly condemn animal breeders of all sorts!
Fabien Sant Fournier
Aug 2nd 2010, 22:04
Andrew Debono; contrary to what you believe, no there are actually some of us in Malta who are against the idea of having pets, and dont even get me started on breeders!
Being taken care of does not mean that captivity is ok. Living in tanks stops these animals from doing what it is that makes them dolphins!
your comment about freedom...Im sure the dolphins would prefer to take their chances out there in the wild, than live a long pathetic existence in a tiny tank!
Alison Bezzina
Aug 2nd 2010, 14:59
"Though inexperienced, Onda, guided by a deep maternal instinct has behaved like a perfect mum!" Marineland said.
Marineland quotes INSTINCT only when it suits them...
Did you know that in the wild a baby Dolphin stays with the mother between 3-6 years, during which time it learns about feeding techniques, social interaction and group foraging. Females stay within the family pod with their mother & sisters, & males leave and form associations with other males. Dolphins have defined home ranges, an area in which they will roam & feed. Though dolphins live in small groups called pods, these pods can be quite fluid & dolphins can be seen interacting with dolphins from other pods from time to time. If another dolphin is drowning, other dolphins will come to it's aid, supporting it so it's blowhole is above the water.
They travel hundrends of miles a day & dive as deep as 500m. ONDA will miss out on all this...because we humans need to be entertained by animals!! So much for her name!!! She won't riding any waves any time soon!!!! Stop going to these idiotic sorry excuses for entertainment!!! Circuses and marine parks = CRUELTY - check out http://www.alisonbezzina.com/circus-cruelty/
J Farrugia
Aug 2nd 2010, 14:47
Dont be daft ... live and let live. Dont continue being negative. Yes we love animals even in zoos.
martin saliba
Aug 2nd 2010, 18:07
Where dose the bible say that it it ok to hold animals captive ?
Andrew Debono
Aug 4th 2010, 18:42
@ Martin Saliba
As far as I know in the bible when baby Jesus was born there was a donkey and a cow staying near him. Maybe not directly said in the bible but there were people riding donkeys and horses that mean that yes human beings already started keeping wild animals captive.
As far as I know that thanks to the two animals standing by gesus when he was a baby that kept him warm.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 2nd 2010, 14:37
Nixtieq nissugerilek biex taqra u tixtarr sew qabel ma tikteb u tikkumment b'certu mod. Certi annimali, posthom fis-selvagg, jigifieri liberi fil-bahar. U jkun xi jkun id-destin taghhom - il-bniedem jaghmel mill-ahjar biex l-ambjent ta' madwarhom, jigifieri taghna wkoll, ikun san u mill-ahjar. (Tal-BP, dan, m'ghamluhx!) Li annimal bhal dan, mammiferu bhalna, jinsab idur idur idur go vaska li ghalih hija zghira, hija GHARUKAZA KBIRA!
J. De Bono
Aug 2nd 2010, 14:29
I agree with the fact its horrible to see such animals in captivity, however its not hard to understand these animals were captured 7 years ago and would not survive in open waters, not to mention the ones that do are at constant risk from various things which we all in some ways contribute to. Boycotting the park will not help anything, if you close one down another will open soon enough and the conditions will start off worse then the last. There are worse thing happening to animals then these marine parks, for one i cannot understand the horse carriages in Malta were the horse spends all day standing in the sun as a slave to head home to most likely sleep in a small garage which lets be honest we have all seen, a lot needs to be done to protect animal rights, criticizing one marine park isn't going to change anything.
john borg
Aug 2nd 2010, 14:25
free in cuban waters has its dangers as well !!!
it is like a somali in somalia, your free but can be killed anytime
A. Camilleri
Aug 2nd 2010, 14:22
It's nice to know they're being taken care of, but it disgusts me knowing that these animals are being used for someone's profit!
Louise Chircop
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:39
So should we applaud the owners of Mediterraneo for bringing over two dolphins who were FREE in cuban waters?
And now people should rejoice because one of them has given birth to another prisoner whose sole purpose in life will be to make others rich with tricks he has to learn while captive?
This is sick
G.Camilleri
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:37
I agree with all the comments.
Does everyone want to free them ?
Easy: Stop going to Circus with animals, no income, and animals will go back.
N.Cassar
Aug 2nd 2010, 17:05
well said! animals are NOT toys for human amusement.
R Z
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:34
Oh great, another dolphin missing from the wild and not eating jellyfish. Well Done. Lets Celebrate.
If you want to learn how non-captive breaded dolphins are caught to be sent in for training Wath The Cove.
A Agius
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:31
A prisoner? perhaps ... but beats getting fished up by Japanese tuna nets anyday in my books.
At lest this one has a whole team of dedicated people behind its wellbeing.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 2nd 2010, 14:39
'Well-being'? Earning money out of its presence, you mean, surely. How presumptuous of us, to just dismiss their possible plight when they are captive! What do YOU know about the health and the well-being of the mammal in question? Would YOU like to be made a prisoner, however 'golden' the cage may be?
Massimo Borg
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:16
Well at least they have ONE which wasn't caught from the wild in Cuban Waters....watch THE COVE!!!!
C.Sammut
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:07
Very sad story indeed. :(
M. Vella
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:03
Animals should not be kept in captivity - they were not created to be like this!
Gena Wilcox
Aug 2nd 2010, 12:58
Great news but i find it such a shame for these beautiful inteligent creatures to be enclosed in a small area, they should be let off FREE maybe they can wisper the words: FREEDOM:
Adrian Allain
Aug 2nd 2010, 12:56
This is wonderful news. It shows that the mammals are relaxed in captivity.
Will there be a public competition now to name the baby?
Amaha or Uzuki perhaps ;-)
martin saliba
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:01
Wouldn't you still have sex in captivity ?? But you wouldnt want to have a child that would be a prisoner all its life. Or are you being sarcastic ?
Adrian Allain
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:38
Martin.
I would much rather see these beautiful creatures in the wild as they should be, but they are not, and that will not change.
The fact that they have each other for company and seem to be well cared for, is a better life than the thousands of wild birds, which each year are put into solitary confinement in Malta with barely room to turn around in their tiny cages. They won't breed.
adrian agius
Aug 2nd 2010, 12:55
POOR THING !!!
she's going to be a prisoner all her life :-((
clinton magro
Aug 2nd 2010, 13:36
at least she is being taken care of and all possible medications are being given... i think its better than out there especially near the gulf ?? or maybe trapped in a fishermen's net ? or swallowing some plastic we dump irresponsibly ? is soltu storja nsoma ma tista taghmel xejn ax xorta imaqdruk
Marouska Bartolo
Aug 2nd 2010, 17:22
@Cinton Magro
2wrongs don't make a right!!!!
Joseph Micallef
Aug 2nd 2010, 18:54
@magro would you like to be a prisoner so that you can get 24/7 attention?
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Aug 3rd 2010, 21:39
Mr Aguis, the dolphins' place is in the ocean and not in the pool.