A dolphin from the Marineland water park in Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes), himself born on the spot, gave birth to a baby, the animal park said on Friday, stressing that it was the first representative of the second generation. dolphins born in the park. The baby, a female weighing about 15 kg for 85 cm, was born on May 8 and is doing well, fed by breast milk, says the park.
Helped by an experienced female
"The animal does not suck properly, because there are no teats, it is positioned on the side, in the right place on the breast, and then the mother expels the milk", details Damien Montay, director zoological of the park.
During parturition, the mother, Nala, aged 10, was helped, as happens in this species, by a more experienced female, in this case her own mother, Malou, also notes the park. The gestation itself lasts a year. With this newborn, Marineland Park, which is the main dolphinarium in France, now has 11 dolphins.
Reproduction of captive dolphins contested
This birth comes while the reproduction of dolphins in captivity is contested by several NGOs. In January 2018, the water parks had obtained from the Council of State the cancellation for procedural defect of a ministerial order prohibiting the reproduction of dolphins and orcas in captivity.
On May 3, 2017, Ségolène Royal, then Minister of the Environment, had signed this decree prohibiting the reproduction of these two species in France and also providing for the increase in the size of the pools and the prohibition of chlorine in the treatment of l water, with the particular aim of "eliminating animal suffering". Marineland, during this interval, had to take contraceptive measures to prevent the reproduction of his animals.
The park has been closed since March 14, due to the health crisis, and is awaiting authorization from government authorities to reopen.