‘Super Joyous Occasion’: 2 SeaWorld Dolphins Give Birth Within Hours

SeaWorld San Diego announced Thursday that a bottlenose dolphin calf was born Thursday, the second calf in less than 10 hours.

The two dolphin calves, born to 21-year-old Malibu and 16-year-old Maggie, arrived at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday and 1:14 a.m. Thursday, according to the theme park. The two mothers and their calves appear to be in good health and have already begun swimming together and bonding.

SeaWorld dolphins Malibu and Maggie gave birth to calves within 10 hours of each other this week. The two mothers and their calves appear to be in good health and have already begun swimming together and bonding. (File photo courtesy of SeaWorld)

Following a 12-month gestation, Malibu, a bottlenose dolphin, gave birth to a calf. Its sex will be determined in the coming weeks. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld.

Maggie, a bottlenose dolphin, and her newborn calf. Animal care staff at SeaWorld estimate the calf weighs roughly 40 pounds, which is on the heavier end of the spectrum. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld.

The calves are Malibu’s second and Maggie’s first, and represent the end of a 12-month gestation. Animal care staff at SeaWorld estimate the two calves weigh roughly 40 pounds each, which is on the heavier end of the spectrum.

Their sexes will be determined in the coming weeks, according to a spokesman for the theme park.

“I’ve been doing this for about 21 years and I’ve never seen two calves born in such a short period of time,” SeaWorld senior dolphin trainer Brian Rokeach said. “Having calves here at SeaWorld is always a super joyous occasion, but this is an incredibly unique experience.”

Park visitors can view Malibu, Maggie and the two yet-unnamed calves at SeaWorld’s main dolphin amphitheater.

— City News Service