Neonatal critical care and hand-rearing of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) calf
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Published source details
Flower J.E., Langan J.N. & Nevitt B.N. (2018) Neonatal critical care and hand-rearing of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) calf. Aquatic Mammals, 44, 482-490.
Published source details Flower J.E., Langan J.N. & Nevitt B.N. (2018) Neonatal critical care and hand-rearing of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) calf. Aquatic Mammals, 44, 482-490.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Breed marine and freshwater mammals in captivity Action Link |
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Breed marine and freshwater mammals in captivity
A study in 2013–2017 at a captive facility in the USA (Flower et al. 2018) found that a common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus calf that was born in captivity and hand-reared survived for at least four years, displayed normal behaviour for the species and successfully joined a dolphin social group at the facility. In 2015, the hand-reared male dolphin (aged 15 months) had fully integrated into a mixed social group at the facility consisting of seven other bottlenose dolphins. In 2017, the hand-reared dolphin (aged four years) was observed to be healthy and displaying normal behaviours (feeding, social interactions). The calf was born in captivity in October 2013, housed in a nursery pool and given intensive medical care after being rejected and injured by its mother. The calf was fed milk and serum from the mother followed by formula via a gastric tube before being weaned onto herring at 4–6 months. At four months old, the calf was gradually reintroduced to other dolphins.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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