ZooBorns

Baby Dolphin Frolicks with Mom

An Atlantic bottlenose dolphin calf, born at SeaWorld San Diego on June 10, 2009, swims alongside her 11-year-old mother, Malibu. SeaWorld used sex-selection techniques to determine the sex of the calf prior to birth, which enables them to optimally balance their ratio of males and females. 

Photos: Mike Aguilera/SeaWorld San Diego 

Dolphin Calf Frolicks with Mom at SeaWorld San Diego

This energetic dolphin calf was born at SeaWorld San Diego on Nov. 28, 2008. Estimated to be a healthy 35 - 40 lbs. and 3 1/2 - 4 feet long, the calf is regularly nursing from her mother, Tobie, and growing steadily.

The female calf was conceived through artificial insemination with sperm that had undergone a gender-selection process. Responsibly managing captive populations is a challenging process, and the ability to choose the sex of a zoo or aquarium baby allows these organizations to maintain a healthy balance.