Pacific White-Sided Dolphins in North America (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)

MidwestFan said:
*Does anyone know the name of the 2018 M calf at Miami and if it is Loke x Li'i calf?
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I don’t know the name but Ceta Base confirmed it is Loke’s calf. It’s been a while since Loke or the calf were on display, Li’i and Catalina are the only ones in the Whale Bowl right now and have been basically since the calf was born. I don’t know what their off-exhibit pools are like.
 
Coelacanth18 said:
Not sure if the species was ever common in the US to begin with; maybe back when marine parks and aquariums holding cetaceans were more common, but even then it was primarily bottlenose. Likelihood of the current population expanding much more seems unlikely, as more US institutions are phasing cetaceans out than adding them.
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That’s a shame. I’ve always found them more beautiful and captivating than Bottlenose (partly because I’ve never been lucky enough to see one myself!)

Great news about Shedd, though. Thanks for keeping us updated Midwestfan. I’m not sure why but I’ve always had a feeling in the back of my mind that marine mammals there would be on limited time. The beluga and sea lion tanks have always looked a bit tight to me!
 
The NMFS permit for the importation of ~32 year old Helen (F) into the United States from Canada (Vancouver Aquarium) was issued on 15th September 2020. It is valid for 3 years. I anticipate that she will be flown to San Antonio soon.
 
Elephantus said:
The NMFS permit for the importation of ~32 year old Helen (F) into the United States from Canada (Vancouver Aquarium) was issued on 15th September 2020. It is valid for 3 years. I anticipate that she will be flown to San Antonio soon.
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I think COVID slowed the transfer down, but I am surprised she has not moved yet. I hope she is in good health.
 
Updated Population List:

SWT (2.6)
Betty F
Piquet F
Avalon F
Hailey F
Ohana F
Bolt M
Ipo M
Helen F

Miami (2.2)
Loke M
Li’I F
Catalina F
2018 Calf M

Shedd (1.4)
Kri F
Katrl F
Munchkin F
Makoa M
Harmony F (b 08/30/2020)

Total Population
(5.12)
 
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article256448916.html
Catalina died at Miami Seaquarium. The article says she may have been killed in a scuffle with Lolita the orca. She was transferred to SeaWorld Orlando for treatment (though the exact nature of her affliction has not been publicly stated by either park), where she died. It is my understanding that Loke and Elelo are either due to go back on display soon or are already on display. Here is the updated population list:

SWT (2.6)
0.1 Betty
0.1 Piquet
0.1 Helen
0.1 Avalon - Jump* x Catalina*
0.1 Hailey - Jump* x Betty
0.1 Ohana - Li'i x Loke
1.0 Bolt - Arrow, AI x Catalina*
1.0 Ipo - Li'i x Loke

Miami (2.1)
0.1 Loke
1.0 Li'i
1.0 Elelo - Li'i x Loke

Shedd (1.4)
0.1 Kri
0.1 Katrl
0.1 Munchkin - Jump* x Laverne*
1.0 Makoa - Li'i x Piquet
0.1 Harmony - Sagu*? x Katrl
 
TheAmurTiger said:
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article256448916.html
Catalina died at Miami Seaquarium. The article says she may have been killed in a scuffle with Lolita the orca. She was transferred to SeaWorld Orlando for treatment (though the exact nature of her affliction has not been publicly stated by either park), where she died. It is my understanding that Loke and Elelo are either due to go back on display soon or are already on display.
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I really think that Loke, Li'i, and Elelo should be transferred out. Li'i could go to Shedd to breed, and Elelo could go to Shedd to have a closer aged male companion with Mokoa. Loke could go to Shedd or SWT, but might be great to have her go to SWT to be with Ohana.
 
Helen died at SWT. The population sustainability continues to be grim. Updated list:

SWT (2.5)
Betty F
Piquet F
Avalon F
Hailey F
Ohana F
Bolt M
Ipo M

Miami (2.1)
Loke M
Li’I F
Olelo/Elelo M (b 06/30/2018)

Shedd (1.4)
Kri F
Katrl F
Munchkin F (b 10/21/2000)
Makoa M (b 06/01/2015)
Harmony F (b 08/30/2020) [Katrl x Sagu]

Total Population
(5.10)
 
I'm assuming the dolphins at Miami Seaquarium are bts? I did not see them last I went, although if they are held in the same building as Lolita its understandable as that section is under construction.
 
Does anyone know of the parents and ages of the individuals at SWT? I hope they’re actively breeding them since they have the largest population of Pacific White-sided dolphins in the country.

I also wonder how genetically diverse the population is, I’d hope much of the population isn’t closely related but with such a small population, it wouldn’t be too surprising. It’s unfortunate to see this population struggling while Common Bottlenoses are thriving.
 
SusScrofa said:
I'm assuming the dolphins at Miami Seaquarium are bts? I did not see them last I went, although if they are held in the same building as Lolita its understandable as that section is under construction.
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Last I knew Loke was with Lolita (as was Catalina before she had to be transferred to SeaWorld and died from illness/injury). I have not been there recently at all, but I never heard that Li'i and Elelo were ever transferred back to the whale stadium from the Pompano Pools.
 
IndianRhino said:
Does anyone know of the parents and ages of the individuals at SWT? I hope they’re actively breeding them since they have the largest population of Pacific White-sided dolphins in the country.

I also wonder how genetically diverse the population is, I’d hope much of the population isn’t closely related but with such a small population, it wouldn’t be too surprising. It’s unfortunate to see this population struggling while Common Bottlenoses are thriving.
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Not a lot of genetic diversity left in breeding those that are likely breeders:

SWT (2.5)
Betty F [wild born]
Piquet F [wild born]
Avalon F [Catalina x Jump]
Hailey F [Betty x Jump]
Ohana F [Li’i x Loke]
Bolt M [Catalina x Arrow]
Ipo M [Li’I x Loke]

Miami (2.1)
Loke M [wild born]
Li’I F [wild born]
Olelo/Elelo M (b 06/30/2018) [Li’i x Loke]

Shedd (1.4)
Kri F [wild born]
Katrl F [wild born]
Munchkin F (b 10/21/2000) [Laverne x Jump]
Makoa M (b 06/01/2015) [Piquet x Li’i]
Harmony F (b 08/30/2020) [Katrl x Sagu]

Total Population
(5.10)
 
Li'i is a male and Loke is a female.
I didn't heard anything about Loke and Elelo returning to Toki's tank.
I think Ipo never lived there.
 
Pacific White Sided Dolphin Betty was euthanized April 8, 2022 at SeaWorld Texas. Updated list:

SWT (2.4)
Piquet F [wild born]
Avalon F [Catalina x Jump]
Hailey F [Betty x Jump]
Ohana F [Li’i x Loke]
Bolt M [Catalina x Arrow]
Ipo M [Li’I x Loke]

Miami (2.1)
Loke F [wild born]
Li’I M [wild born]
Olelo/Elelo M (b 06/30/2018) [Li’i x Loke]

Shedd (1.4)
Kri F [wild born]
Katrl F [wild born]
Munchkin F (b 10/21/2000) [Laverne x Jump]
Makoa M (b 06/01/2015) [Piquet x Li’i]
Harmony F (b 08/30/2020) [Katrl x Sagu]

Total Population (14)
(5.9)
 
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