This Mother’s Day, Atlantis is proud and excited to announce the births of two bottlenose dolphin calves this spring:

Valentino, male calf born on February 15, 2023, to mom Elektra

Bay, female calf born March 6, 2023, to mom Megara

Guests walking beach-side at Dolphin Cay may get a peek at the mother-calf pairs nursing and swimming together in the Paradise Estuary Lagoon, exploring their ocean-fed habitat. The new calves have been introduced to other female members of the pod, Cherie, Michelle, Missi, Toni and Naia.

Cherie is an experienced dolphin mom and grandmother and has been observed spending time nurturing the new calves. Missi, a younger female dolphin, has also been spending time with the moms and calves to learn about maternal caregiving. These pod behaviors are often seen in wild populations, and vicarious or observational learning helps large family groups pass-on information to younger generations. 

Dolphin Cay is one of the world’s premiere dolphin habitats, featuring 6 million gallons of clean-filtered, natural seawater flowing through 11 interconnected lagoons and a natural sand bottom. The habitat is also home to more than 20 different species of marine life and encourages dolphins to explore and interact, making it one of the most enriching zoological environments possible. Atlantis is an AZA-accredited facility and a world leader in marine mammal care and husbandry.

With the addition of the new calves, Dolphin Cay is now home to 36 bottlenose dolphins.

We are proud to announce that Atlantis has been recognized once again with prestigious AZA accreditation, reflecting the highest standards of animal care and our long-standing commitment to conservation, education, and research endeavors.