Bottlenose dolphin at Brookfield Zoo Chicago expected to give birth in May
BROOKFIELD, Ill. - Brookfield Zoo Chicago is celebrating the pregnancy of Allie, a 37-year-old bottlenose dolphin.
What we know:
Expected to give birth this summer, Allie’s pregnancy offers a unique opportunity for the Zoo’s team to expand their understanding of dolphin gestation.
Allie’s care team is closely monitoring her health through medical exams, including ultrasounds and blood tests.
With the pregnancy now in its second trimester, staff anticipate signs of labor as early as May.
The zoo said this pregnancy will provide more data to enhance global conservation efforts and improve practices for caring for dolphins both in professional environments and the wild.
The backstory:
Allie is one of the Zoo’s longtime residents, and her pregnancy marks a milestone in the Zoo’s ongoing efforts to understand marine mammal health.
The Zoo’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, the longest-running initiative of its kind, has contributed to advancing dolphin research for over 55 years.
What you can do:
Visitors can help support conservation efforts by learning more about the Zoo’s work with dolphins and other marine species.
The Zoo is currently offering free admission on specific days through Feb. 27.
The Source: The information in this article was provided by Brookfield Zoo Chicago.