Male Bottlenose Dolphins Use Social Networks To Secure A Mate

AsianScientist (Oct. 27, 2011) – Marine biologist Joanna Wiszniewski of Australia’s Macquarie University has observed a fascinating approach to mating among the Port Stephens Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.

According to a recent research paper published by the Journal of Animal Ecology, groups of male dolphins who put aside their sexual competitiveness and form alliances with each other to seek out and reproduce with females have better reproductive success than males who go it alone.

“These results are fascinating because it demonstrates that male bottlenose dolphins need to cooperate with each other to maximize their reproductive success,” said Wiszniewski.

The alliances are usually made up of two to four males and can vary in stability with some alliances lasting just a season while others can exist over many years. Alliance formation is a highly complex and long-term process that involves a high level of mutual tolerance, cooperation, and coordination.

While alliances among dolphins and some other mammals have been observed before, previously there has not been a lot of evidence to show why an alliance might be preferable. What this research has found is that the more alliance partners a male has, the more successful he is at reproducing.

“We found that most of the males who were fathering offspring in this population were members of large alliances. These results explain that the benefit for some male species to form alliances is to gain mating opportunities,” she said.

The finding that male dolphins share mating opportunities with their alliance partners and will risk increasing their partners’ reproductive success at a potential cost to themselves, indicates that dolphin relationships are based on a high level of mutual tolerance and cooperation.

“The level of cooperation and tolerance observed among dolphins is unseen in most animals. This research is important to understanding how these complex relationships operate,” she said.

The article can be found at: Wiszniewski J et al. (2011) Male reproductive success increases with alliance size in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus).

http://www.asianscientist.com/in-the-lab/male-bottlenose-dolphins-social-networks-secure-mate-102011/

Month-old baby dolphin Kinosaki Sukusuku

城崎Marinwarudo (Toyooka Seto) and reached a one month old baby Pacific white-sided dolphin. Cylindrical pool next to the dolphin show in zoo stadium (7.5 meters in diameter and 4 meters deep), which swim perfectly fine to stick with his mother.

The mother took the net off Tango Peninsula emplacement, are in the same park in 1990, "Mary". The second birth was followed in 2008. Pacific white-sided dolphin gestation period of approximately one year. Mary appeared on the show until after mid-August this year, successfully gave birth September 20 into the early hours on maternity leave. Babies were breast-fed swimming Sukusuku Mary grew up awkward, length has grown to more than 1 meter.

Pacific white-sided dolphin zoo has bred in 1977. There was also the birth of the baby several times and hit the wall of the pool, or the mother did not breast-feeding well, died at age 17 in length. This is covered in the pool net to prevent a collision, the first week after birth, the 24-hour watch with colleagues such as breeding.

Baby dolphin appeared to show, trained from birth to about four months. Mr. Tomokazu Takatsu veterinarian responsible breeding of dolphins (43) "I'm glad you grew up here. Hope so carefully watched grow nicely," he said. (Asako Nagamine)

http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/tajima/0004576284.shtml

Shedd saddened by loss of beluga whale

The Shedd Aquarium family is mourning the loss of Puiji, one of the original animals in our beluga group. The 25-year-old whale died Wednesday evening. Puiji had been part of Shedd’s animal collection since 1989 and was here when the Oceanarium opened.

Ken Ramirez, executive vice president of animal care and training, said that his staff and the animal health team had been monitoring Puiji for several months because of a health issue that they were treating.

Wednesday, a change in the beluga’s behaviors signaled a rapid decline in her health, and despite nonstop emergency care, she experienced an arresting seizure. The veterinarians worked for 45 minutes to resuscitate Puiji, to no avail.

Preliminary findings of a necropsy performed at Shedd found changes in several of the whale’s organs that had not been evident in repeated health assessments. Additional tests will be conducted to see if the findings are related to advanced age or other factors. As is often the case, however, a specific cause of death may never fully be determined.

Biologists don’t know how long belugas live in the wild. In aquariums and zoos, they can live to be 25 to 30 years old although, as with people, longevity varies with individuals.

Puiji will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.



http://interactive.sheddaquarium.org/2011/10/shedd-saddened-by-loss-of-beluga-whale.html

Morgan killer case back to court on November 7

Last update: October 26, 2011 24:19
info. HARDERWIJK - A court in Amsterdam on November 7 leans back on the fate of Morgan orca. HARDERWIJK - The court in Amsterdam on November 7 lean back on the fate of Morgan orca.
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters On that date the court treats the appeal both the Orca Coalition against Morgan moved to Tenerife, as requested by the Dolphinarium in Harderwijk to the animal as quickly as possible to be able to move there. That date on the court treats the appeal Both the Orca Coalition against Morgan moved to Tenerife, as requested by the Dolphinarium in Harderwijk to the animal as Quickly as Possible to be bootable to move there.

A spokesperson said Wednesday the Dolphinarium. A spokesperson said Wednesday the Dolphinarium. If the marine life park wins the lawsuit, Morgan will go a few days later transport. If the marine life park wins the lawsuit, Morgan will go a few days later transport.


Bleacher Bleacher

Henk Bleacher Secretary (Agriculture) two weeks ago gave Morgan permission to move to Loro Parque in Tenerife. Henk Bleacher Secretary (Agriculture) two weeks ago gift Morgan permission to move to Loro Parque in Tenerife. Morgan 15 months ago flooded seriously ill to the Wadden Sea and the scientists will never be able to independently and to live in freedom. Morgan 15 months ago flooded seriously ill to the Wadden Sea and the scientists will never be bootable to independently and to live in freedom.

The Orca Coalition thinks very differently and that Morgan would be reunited with family members as possible off the coast of Norway. The Orca Coalition thinks very Differently And That Morgan would be reunited with family members ashes off the coast of Norway Possible. The activists believe that the Dolphinarium did nothing to try it anyway if the killer could save independent and criticize the Dolphinarium cruelty. The activists believe thats the Dolphinarium did nothing to try it anyway if the killer Could Save the Dolphinarium Criticize independent and cruelty.


Health Health

The Dolphinarium is required under a court order rather wait until the end of November with the removal of Morgan. The Dolphinarium is required under a court order rather Wait Until the end of November with the removal of Morgan. But according to Niels Every vet is very bad for the health of the animal. But According To Niels Every fat is very bad for the health of the animal. The marine park is therefore exempted from that period. The marine park is therefore exempted from That period.

Pending the trial as possible are prepared to move the tons of animals weighing possible.

http://www.nu.nl/binnenland/2651297/zaak-orka-morgan-7-november-weer-rechter.html

http://interactive.sheddaquarium.org/2011/10/shedd-saddened-by-loss-of-beluga-whale.html

Every so often, the killer whales that live around Antarctica will drop everything they're doing and swim three thousand miles due north. It's an extreme journey, but the end result is the whale equivalent of a day at the spa.

Killer whales, otherwise known as orcas, need to periodically regenerate their skin in order to stay healthy. The problem for them and other polar mammals is that molting means losing a ton of body heat, which can be potentially dangerous in such frigid waters. For mammals like seals, this isn't a problem - they can just climb up onto the nearest scrap of land and molt away. But killer whales don't have that option, and so they're forced to go to some pretty extreme measures.

Researchers from the US's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tracked the movements of five killer whales, all of which moved from the freezing Antarctic waters - average temperature 30 degrees Fahrenheit - to the relatively balmy subtropical waters off the coast of Brazil and Uruguay, where it's 75 degrees. One whale managed the entire 6,000 mile round trip in just 42 days.

It appears these journeys are pretty much exclusively for regenerating their skin - at those speeds, they wouldn't have enough time to go hunting or to take care of their young. It's a trip that takes the whales far outside their natural comfort zone, as evidenced by the fact that the whales went slower and slower the further north they got. But the end result is pretty much the killer whale equivalent of a deep cleanse, as they complete their epic swim just to find somewhere that they can relax and fix their skin. Rarely does a quick trip to the spa involve quite such an epic amount of work.

http://io9.com/5853590/killer-whales-swim-three-thousand-miles-just-to-lose-their-skin

Injured dolphin rescued in Mission Bay dies

SAN DIEGO — An injured dolphin that had beached itself in Mission Bay died Tuesday morning after being picked up by rescuers from SeaWorld.


Lifeguards and SeaWorld marine mammal rescue unit recovered a seriously injured juvenile dolphin from Mission Bay early Tuesday. The animal had been swimming around erratically near the Mission Bay yacht club before finally beaching itself where it was picked up and rushed to SeaWorld. Among the obvious injuries the dolphin had large scrape marks on it and had suffered a broken jaw. — John Gibbins The young female mammal had suffered a massive broken jaw and was malnourished, said SeaWorld spokesman Dave Koontz.

It appeared the animal suffered the wound several days ago and had been unable to eat, Koontz said. The dolphin also had some minor cuts and abrasions on its body, he said.

The animal was first spotted swimming about 6:10 a.m. off Santa Barbara Cove near El Carmel Point, San Diego lifeguards said.

The lifeguards received another call about 7:30 a.m. from someone who said the dolphin was on the beach.

The SeaWorld crew arrived about 7:45 a.m. and picked up the dolphin, but it died in the truck, Koontz said. It was not known how the mammal was injured, he said.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/oct/25/injured-dolphin-rescued-mission-bay/

Melon Headed Whale Rescued

When Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program staff members got a call Sunday (Oct. 23, 2011) morning about a stranded marine mammal on Manasota Key, they quickly mobilized a response team and headed south.

At the beach, they found three people helping a beached melon-headed whale. After assessing the animal’s condition and conferring with the federal agency that oversees the care and protection of wild marine mammals, the team brought the animal to Mote’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital.

Today (Monday, Oct. 24, 2011), the melon-headed whale, nicknamed Dante, remains in critical condition at Mote, where veterinary staff and a dedicated team of volunteers are monitoring its condition closely.
Dr. Deborah Fauquier (left) listens to the lungs of a melon-headed whale being treated at Mote Marine Laboratory's Dolphin and Whale Hospital. Jenna Rouse, Mote animal care technician, is pictured on the right. Photo copyright Mote Marine Laboratory.

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But Mote’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital is itself in need of support if it is to continue serving as a critical first responder and to be the trauma center called when sick marine mammals need help.

The Hospital is currently facing a funding deficit and is in critical need of donations to help support the care of this whale and to continue to be available to treat others when the calls come in. About the Rescue
Ralph Valanzuolo, a visitor from Connecticut, and Herb and Beth Silverstein of Sarasota, were the first on the scene when the melon-headed whale stranded on Manasota Key.

“We were walking along the beach and saw this guy — Ralph — in the water waving,” says Beth Silverstein. “Then we saw the whale he was with. We were the only people on the beach for miles. Luckily, my husband Herb had his cell phone and we could call for help. We’re so glad Mote was there to respond.”

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“We estimate that it costs about $4,500 to care for each critical care marine mammal brought to the hospital — that’s per day,” says Glenda Wright, vice president for development at Mote. “That cost is on top of the funds we need to raise annually just to keep the hospital open and to serve non-critical marine mammal and sea turtle patients. We really are in danger of not being able to treat any more critical care dolphins and whales.”

Mote has been treating sick marine mammals at its Sarasota-based hospital since 1992

. About the Whale
Species: Melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra
Sex: Male
Length: 6.5 feet
Nickname: Dante
Where found: Melon-headed whales are typically found in deep, warm tropical waters. The U.S. has three recognizable stocks: Hawaii, the northern Gulf of Mexico and the western North Atlantic.
Population: Estimated to be about 3,450 in the Gulf. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is not enough information about this species to determine whether that is trending up or down or staying the same.

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Mote provides critical care for these animals — which are protected under federal law —with the goal of returning them to the wild. Our goal is to provide the most humane treatment possible for live-stranded dolphins and whales, while also creating a better scientific understanding of these animals and their needs to support conservation of these species in the wild.

“So many Southwest Florida residents tell me that one of the most important things they see Mote do is taking care of sick and injured dolphins and whales,” Wright says. “But if people want us to continue to be able to take care of these animals, we really need the community’s financial support to do it.”


http://www.mote.org/index.php?src=directory&view=DWH&category=Current%20Patient&query=category.eq.Current%20Patient&refno=1240&srctype=DWH_detail

In Ukraine, banned the catching of dolphins

MEP has banned the removal of the natural environment of cetaceans. This means that the dolphins are no longer able to acquire new pets from the Black Sea. However, the release of those already in captivity, no one needs. Decision was made ​​to protect the population of the Black Sea dolphins from extinction. But will the document to stop delfinotiraniyu, Christina found out Suvorin. From 30th to 60th years of last century in the Black Sea were caught accelerated pace. These animals are not used for the treatment of: canned meat went on, and made ​​soap out of fat. Even suggested that from them more harm. Formerly considered a legal catch. If the dolphin is injured and he needs help. But then the animal must have been released into the sea. The process is difficult to control. And it was a loophole in the law. Domashlinets Vladimir, head of wildlife protection, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources: - Pіd reabіlіtatsіyu viluchalis zdorovі delfіni i potіm vikoristovuvalis in the show. Tse mean scho Mіnprirodi not bude vidavati zhodnogo Permit to viluchennya delfіnіv s navkolishnogo seredovischa. However, this does not mean that dolphins in captivity, we must now go. Even more so - the scientists say - the animals have already forgotten how to produce their own food and are not prepared for life in a big pack. Kozunova Rita, a researcher at Sevastopol dolphinarium artbuhte: - Release into the sea - it's like to kill ... Dolphins from dolphinarium eat frozen fish. They are accustomed to a very narrow space. A total of dolphinariums country - 120 Red cetaceans. 's a stack of documents - data last check ekoinspektsii. None of the deaths of marine mammals are not officially registered. But to prove that one dolphin died, and another in his place - almost impossible. When comes to revision - can not tell - Dolphins went on tour, but be sure to come back. Komarchuk Sergey, Head of Environmental Control of biological resources of the State Inspectorate - Yakscho perevіrku mi conduction in Odesі - delfіni could pereїhati in Kyiv - pіd hour perevіrki E maєmo tіlki documented pіdtverdzhennya - yakіs nakladnі - scho delfіnіv here p'yatero - dvoє poїhali in Kyiv. But the law allows the import of dolphins from abroad. For one would have to pay 100 thousand dollars plus shipping. Deputy Chairman of the National ecocenter says there is a risk that the black market in the Black Sea is now even more will go to the bottom. Vasilyuk Alex, deputy chairman of the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine: - Delfіnіv lovlyat brakonєri, abo if stench vipadkovo potraplyayut in sіtki ribalok - delfіn zaplutavsya, yogo dіstali ... Naskіlki vіdomo us on Chorny rink delfіn Mauger koshtuvati 25 tisyach dolarіv. For ribalki, yaky vipadkovo vityag s Sea 25 tisyach dolarіv, TER Tse podarunok. Ecocenter National held an independent inquiry. In all 15 dolphinariums have sent a request to a request to clarify - from dolphins. Not one responded.

http://podrobnosti.ua/podrobnosti/2011/10/22/799267.html

Brookfield Zoo dolphin about to give birth

October 21, 2011 (BROOKFIELD, Ill.) (WLS) -- There is excitement in the air at Brookfield Zoo! Tapeko, a common bottlenose dolphin, is ready to give birth any day now.


Seven Seas at Brookfield Zoo is home to six common bottlenose dolphins, but it's 29-year-old Tapeko who is currently in the spotlight. She's about to become a mom for the third time. The staff found out earlier this year during a routine health exam.

"About six weeks, we think, after she could become pregnant is when we could first detect a fetal heartbeat or a fetus on ultrasound in her uterus," said Dr. Jennifer Langan, associate veterinarian, Brookfield Zoo.

From that moment on, Tapeko has been under the watchful eyes of the marine mammal staff with special prenatal care.

"Similar to human fetal monitoring, there's a lot that has to happen from the time you first detect a pregnancy to hopefully having a healthy baby," said Langan.

The most important monitoring tool is the ultrasound, making sure everything is developing normally. Special goggles are used in conjunction with the monitor to see more clearly.

"The ultrasounds are done along the pool edge. The animals have trust in the trainers, and they're able to position themselves and hold pretty darn still at the edge of the pool," said Langan. "We get down right with the dolphins and lay down next to them and the ultrasound is done with a probe in the water with the animal in the water."

If you're wondering how these gregarious creatures are trained to comply so easily to the medical exams, look no further than the dolphin presentations at Brookfield's Seven Seas.

"We do a lot of behaviors, we don't even showcase in our shows called medical or husbandry behaviors; these are some of the most important behaviors we train the animals to do, as they actually cooperate with their own veterinary care," said Rita Stacey, curator of marine mammals, Brookfield Zoo.

When the dolphins give the backside of their tail to a trainer, this behavior allows the staff to take blood samples.

"That is called a 'chuff' or in our terms coughing, and what we can actually do is put a petri dish over the blowhole and ask the dolphins to cough into it, culture it and see if there's any respiratory infection," Stacey said.

The dolphins receive routine physicals four times a year. Once Tapeko goes into labor, which could be any day now, the training and care staff kick into high gear. The birth could take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours. The staff will be monitoring her the entire time, looking for any complications and ready to assist if need be. Once the calf is born, monitoring will continue 24/7 for several weeks. The first month is the most critical, making sure both mother and calf remain healthy and form a successful bond. You won't have to wait too long to greet the zoo's newest marine mammal baby, as long as the calf is doing well, the veterinary staff will open underwater viewing to zoo visitors within a few days after it's born.

A typical bottlenose dolphin calf weighs 45 pounds at birth and will nurse for one to two years. Their life expectancy averages about 30 years, but dolphins will continue to reproduce throughout their entire lifetime.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8400552

Lovey & Stella are Pregnant and a future move

Between them, the Italian agreement on breeding loan from the head of two killer whales last year, got off a plan to transfer the orca, which was raised in Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium prior to transfer "waves"'s condition worsened, then transport plan had been postponed to accept that death.
However, among the females of four horses in captivity in Kamogawa Sea World this time, "Stella" and "Rabbie" is confirmed pregnant, and breeding facility in Kamogawa Sea World in present birth of killer whales in the head 2, the number of tanks In short, it became clear that a very difficult situation from becoming overcrowded. Respectively, so that you can safely give birth where two horses Orca "Stella" is a pair of male and its "bingo", the child's "Ran" cooperation to Kamogawa Sea World from Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium for acceptance to the urgent request has now decided to accept.
The original plan was "run" for the transfer of the younger age than other children, because a strong dependence on the mother is better to be transported from the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium leave parents with Kamogawa Sea World It is considered to make the habitat is now equipped to be transported. Kamogawa Sea World, including its birth to the killer whale's head 3, which is raised in Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, the expression an overall support system will make a backup. Hedge is a breed of killer whales in captivity is also very valuable in the world, eager now we can safely give birth. Grand Vista Hotel & Resort Co., Kamogawa Sea World Port Management Association Nagoya Port Nagoya Institute Foundation (Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

http://www.kamogawa-seaworld.jp/info/news_release_page.php?eid=169

Orca Coalition back to court

Amsterdam, October 19, 2011 - Thanks to donations from many individuals and a large donation from the international animal protection organization FOUR PAWS Foundation, the Coalition Orca appeal against the decision of Secretary of State for Bleacher orca Morgan to Tenerife to export. Also, the Dolphinarium, the lawyer said that Morgan was against the law within a week to transport, as announced by the Dolphinarium. According to the lawyer for the Coalition Orca international rules are violated. Moreover, Morgan Loro Parque in no way an improvement in terms of space and companionship.

Last week, Morgan State Bleacher known orcas to Tenerife can be moved. Soon got the Orca Coalition sufficient financial resources within FOUR PAWS Foundation of animal lovers and to appeal against this. "International regulations for the care of the protected animal is still followed. Only if rehabilitation is not possible, other options considered. But the Dolphinarium has so far not yet be called an action showing that Morgan has tried to prepare for a life in the wild, "said Marq Wijngaarden, lawyer for the Coalition Orca. Because of the decision of the court in August to the Dolphinarium at least five weeks to wait before being allowed to export Morgan. The Dolphinarium, this is not going, which they want to break the rules again.

Orca Coalition is still open for discussion with the Dolphinarium. "We are supported by a group of international orca scientists who have experience with replacing these protected animals in the wild. Their knowledge and experience is available to Morgan, and also for future stranded killer whales. There is already one year a detailed roadmap for Morgan ready to bring back to her family, "said Barbara Gennevilliers, marine biologist and spokesman for the Coalition Orca. The Orca Coalition remains committed to carrying out this plan and Morgan check back to her family, precisely because they are under international rules entitled.

The park where the orca Dolphinarium in a hurry to go to bring Loro Parque, also shows a decline in mean. A recent study found that Morgan there in an even smaller pool will be placed than they are now located. Moreover, the group of killer whales in Tenerife is not the cozy 'adoptive family' where the Dolphinarium is talking about. There is so much aggression between the animals themselves, that they be kept separate and only swim together at the shows. One of the animals is covered in scars, and in December 2009 killed another animal trainer.

Orca Coalition is a partnership between the Dutch wildlife conservation organizations Dolphin Motion EDEV - A ANIMAL A FRIEND, Bite Back, PINK!, First Sea Foundation, The Blackfish and four legs.

http://www.orkacoalitie.nl/2011/10/19/orka-coalitie-opnieuw-naar-de-rechter/

Killer Whales Hunt Seals in Antarctica

A BBC film crew has captured footage of killer whales working together to create waves to wash their vulnerable prey into the water.

The predators targeted a weddell seal that was resting on a small ice floe, sweeping it off the ice to where they could attack it.

Scientists who worked with the film crew said the footage revealed new insights into killer whale ecology.

The team filmed the sequence for the BBC documentary Frozen Planet
Robert Pitman, from the National Marine Fisheries Service in California, joined the team in order to carry out research and as a scientific adviser on the documentary.

He said that the footage was "some of the most amazing wildlife footage ever taken".

Although killer whales - otherwise known as orcas - had already been recorded hunting in this way, Dr Pitman said that "to see footage of it in action like that is totally unprecedented".

Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
We saw 22 wave-wash attacks on 22 different seals”
End Quote
Dr Robert Pitman

National Marine Fisheries Service
Wave-washing killer whales were first observed by scientists in the early 1970s.

"It wasn't seen again for about 30 years," explained Dr Pitman. "Then a tour boat saw it and [a tourist took] some home video.

"[The BBC] contacted us because they were interested in filming it.

"As part of our research, we're able to tag them [with tracking devices] and follow them," he explained.

So, in 2009, Dr Pitman and his colleagues joined the BBC team off Adelaide Island, in the western Antarctic Peninsula, and went in search of wave-washing killer whales.

They are not the easiest mammals to track down; killer whales can travel up to 200 miles (320km) in a day as they move around in search of their prey.

"But we lucked out," recalled Dr Pitman. "We saw 22 wave-wash attacks on 22 different seals; it turned out that this was actually a fairly common occurrence."

Dr Pitman said that the trip generated new insight into killer whale ecology.

"It was shocking to us that, although there are lots of different types of seals down there, they were only interested in weddell seals," he said.

"We learned a lot; it was a great collaboration."

The trip also added weight to a theory that there are actually several different types of killer whale.

Dr Pitman believes that there could be four different species in Antarctica alone and that their feeding habits are different - with some hunting mammals and some feeding only on fish.

"This is one of the world's most immediately identifiable mammals," he said, "and yet we're still discovering differences the species level."

"It just shows how little we know about the life in our oceans."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/15308790

Anke has a stillborn

Ankes deceased baby
October 17, 2011
Team: Dolphins Delta>
Carer: Steve
Unfortunately, today no good news. Anke her baby dolphin was stillborn Saturday. Ankes caregivers were there when the Saturday morning, around 06.00 am, happened. Why it went wrong, is not known. This is hopefully in the next few days clearly.
Anke will remain in the Nursery and swimming gets extra attention from her caregivers. The other three babies are doing well.

http://www.kraamkamer.nl/#/weblog/Ankes-baby-tje-overleden

Last of river-swimming Alaska whales found dead

(Reuters) - A young killer whale that wandered far up an Alaska river with two adult companions has been found dead near the river's mouth, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Sunday.

Discovery of the dead juvenile means that all three of the whales discovered swimming in fresh water in southwestern Alaska's Nushagak River have died.

The young whale had been swimming with two adult females as many as 30 miles into the Nushagak River, according to NOAA. The whales spent at least three weeks in the river and all had a filmy coating on their skin, a sign of stress from being outside their saltwater habitat, NOAA said.

While killer whales are known to linger near the mouth of that salmon-rich river, which flows into Bristol Bay, there had never before been a documented case in Alaska of killer whales spending prolonged periods in a river's fresh water.

The adults, one of them in the late stages of pregnancy, were found dead in the river last weekend. Initial results from necropsies have failed to pinpoint a specific cause of death.

There had been some hope that the juvenile swam back to saltwater and escaped death, but experts never considered that a likely scenario, said Julie Speegle, a spokeswoman for NOAA Fisheries in Juneau.

"I would say, based on the photos that our biologists saw and the fact that the other two whales died, we felt that it was unlikely that the juvenile would survive," she said.

A local resident reported spotting the dead juvenile whale on Friday, but biologists had needed some time to confirm the sighting and that it was the same whale that had been upriver, Speegle said.

Based on the location, by an island in tidal waters near the town of Dillingham, biologists believe the young whale swam to the site and did not drift there, she said. "It at least had the strength to swim that far," she said.

NOAA has not yet made plans for a necropsy on the juvenile whale

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/17/us-alaska-whales-idUSTRE79G05S20111017

Triple dolphin offspring in Duisburg Zoo

Duisburg for the first time in the history of dolphin husbandry in Germany were born within three weeks, three cubs in a dolphinarium: The Zoo Duisburg Pepina brought the bottlenose dolphin, dolphin and Daisy each one baby. Father of all three Ivo.


The reports coming in Duisburg Zoo dolphinarium at the Kaiser mountains - and a zoological novelty: According to the zoos were born in Duisburg for the first time in the history of the German dolphin entertainment three cubs in a very short time. And: According to the zoo every three cubs are healthy. The dolphin because of his stance on animal rights activists criticized the zoo constantly evaluates the blessing of children in the bottlenose dolphins as evidence for the "very successful development of the dolphin entertainment."

After a gestation period of approximately twelve months, the females Pepina, Delphi and Daisy brought on 20 August, 27 August and 5 September, her baby boy. Father of all babies is the breeding males Ivo. Has also been named the young: The young dolphins are called Diego, Dorte and Darwin. Of the past nine bottlenose dolphins in the Dolphinarium are thus seven-and-bred Duisburg. The dams Delphi and Daisy had come already in the zoo at the Kaiser mountain to the world.

http://www.derwesten.de/staedte/duisburg/dreifacher-delfin-nachwuchs-im-zoo-duisburg-id5165568.html

Born in a storm

With great pride we introduce you to Storm! Roxy's baby was born on October 6 while it was raining hard and thundering. It was a real storm. The guardians of the Roxy were therefore very appropriate to Roxy's baby named Storm to give.
This name was submitted by Angela Verbeek. She now has a Meet & Greet with Roxy, Storm and the other dolphins won. Angela, congratulations!

By the way, Storm is awfully good! It grows well and is especially huge! The attendants are now sure that Storm was a boy. Storm also fits better with a boy than a girl. Storm there have been three years this boy was born dolphins. Would the baby be a girl Anke?

http://www.kraamkamer.nl/webcam#/weblog/Geboren-in-een-storm

Beached whale dies in Florida

JUPITER ISLAND, Fla., Oct. 13 (UPI) -- A whale that beached itself on Jupiter Island, Fla., died after numerous attempts to save it, officials said.

"It was just taking a beating in the shoreline," said Jupiter Island Public Safety Director Ted Gonzales. "Rolling in the heavy surf and getting sandblasted like it was."

The 9- to 10-foot-long whale came ashore Wednesday morning, TCPalm.com reported.

Officials tied a rope to the whale and used a boat to pull it out to sea several times.

Tom Reinert, Fish and Wildlife research administrator, said the whale, believed to be a pygmy sperm whale or a dwarf sperm whale, was probably sick.

"A lot of people think, 'Well we've got to get it back out into the water. It's because of the tide,'" he said. "Nine times out of 10, it's not the tide, the animal is sick."

The whale's carcass will be brought to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, Fla., for a necropsy to determine the cause of death.



Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/10/13/Beached-whale-dies-in-Florida/UPI-55031318527272/#ixzz1gyLuNLAI

The Umita or your "rookie" public Risso's dolphin

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "or your Umita" on April 7, dolphin companions "grampus" started publishing. The museum "came to meet us," he said. The museum has been bred cape dolphin and the bottlenose dolphin. Young female Risso's dolphin is a new addition, 2.8 meters long and weighing about 200 kg. Tsukumi get out of the city from Dolphin Island,運Bi込Nda on September 26. "Dolphins are usually take time to adapt to the environment, immediately began to eat squid bait there be young, have also expressed interest in the other dolphins," says Kawachi Takako employee and breeding (28). To grow to 3.8 meters long, which about 400 kilograms. Compared to the dolphin's head rounded, no sharp beak. White scratches on the body when the body擦Ri付Keta rocks themselves. The white is a symbol of strength, it will become white as adults. Call the name of the 10th twice at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm, you can watch the feeding. 2-year auction Asan Asai Kamikita Meiji Oita field trip was visiting in (7) is "interesting to look like a white belly swimsuit pattern. If you are great friends and I moved I just now raising employee" . In the museum, during the holidays of 08 to 10, to solicit the names of visitors.

http://www.oita-press.co.jp/localNews/2011_131805741825.html