Chimelong shows off three cherished dolphin babies

Three Pacific white-sided dolphin moms at Zhuhai's Chimelong Ocean Kingdom gave birth one after the other in May, setting a world record for such contiguous deliveries in captivity.

The trio of male calves made their public debut on July 2 as visitors streamed to the park's Dolphin Island.

Unlike bottlenose or common dolphins, they have small beaks and creamy white sides and bellies. They are considered robust animals with their large and strongly curved or hooked dorsal fins.

Mother and newborn bond

Without much hands-on experience, experts at Chimelong ensured their survival by helping them breath despite a small lung capacity. Newborns also have a poor sense of balance and direction.

They abide in habitat that was created to resemble the temperate waters of the northern Pacific Ocean. Staff at Ocean Kingdom say the new dolphins have already adapted to their surroundings, where the water temperatures are kept between 22-23 degrees Celsius and water purity is strictly controlled. 

Hand-to-mouth feeding time

Yang Zhanwei and other animal care and service workers provide them with delicate and considerate help. This includes a health plan and regular physical examinations.

Staff say that as gregarious animals, the little Pacific white-sided dolphins will grow happily alongside their mothers and "friends." It's possible for them to learn some behavior in such a favorable environment, they added.

The calves are said to weigh about 10-12 kg at birth and staff say they are now at around 30 kg and growing rapidly.

Handler gives a caress [Photos by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]