It's been a big couple of months for Chicago area zoos. In May, Chicagoans voted on the name for the Lincoln Park Zoo's new baby macaque (the selection was "Obu"). Then, an okapi was born at the Brookfield Zoo, leaving our staff to speculate what the zebra-donkey mammal actually resembles. Early Monday morning, the Shedd Aquarium's Pacific white-sided dolphin Piquet gave birth to a precious 28-pound calf. The gender of the dolphin, a male, was confirmed later in the week, on Friday morning. The Shedd will keep the little cutie under 24-hour observation for a few months. The birth marked the second successful pregnancy for 27-year-old Piquet, who delivered Sagu three years ago.
Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) live for about 40 years. There are fewer than 20 of them living in accredited North American zoological facilities, and the Shedd is one of four facilities that house the species.
The calf will remain out of public view until it completes its nursing period, so you'll have plenty of time to plan your visit to see the aquarium's newest resident.