Minnesota Zoo Welcomes 2 New Dolphins

[Blindseer]

yes thats what they do, they are usually in the bed of a large truck from what ive seen.

[Spree]

why the heck does someone guard the car? its not like someone is waiting to shoot the dolphins or something O.o but then, you have to push past a crowd who wants to touch the dolphins, but I would think since dolphins live in water that there would be a lot of weight on their insides and such that all the weight on themselves would (unfortunately) kill the dolphin, are you saying they are transported in tanks by a plane?

Well it is probally more of a not stopngo sitaution. because AppleVAlley is a suburb of Munneapolis evnthough one of the smallest traffic can get heavy so that the dolphins dont thave to stop thats probally why state patrol people "gaurd" them to the zoo

[Spree]

Guess what!?!
THere is an update about these guys-or girls
Here it is @
http://www.mnzoo.com/animals/discovery_ ... s_blog.asp

[WQ Project Coordinator]

You are quick! I was just going to post that for you!

New Blog Entry about April and Allie posted 1/30/08

With a video

[Spree]

Guess what!! Spree And Allie and April- all fmales out on exebit so you should go check them out I am gonna attach Jenny's update on theses guys watch video at http://www.mnzoo.com/animals/discovery_ ... s_blog.asp

Dolphin weblogs


February 12, 2008
Great news from Discovery Bay!
April and Allie have not only passed their health check-ups, but have moved into the main presentation pool! It is a brand new place for them and they are spending a great deal of time investigating the pool and getting used to their new surroundings.

Watch a training session.


Where are Spree and Semo?
Spree has access to the front pool from her main area; it seems she likes to give April and Allie their space and will come out and swim when she feels comfortable. It is not uncommon for younger dolphins to defer to the older dolphins and that is what Spree is doing. As Allie and April get more comfortable in the big pool, Spree will too, and she will experiment and venture out when the time is right.

Semo is in one of the back pools right now. He is going to be very interested in meeting his new pool mates and there will be a lot of chasing and playing going on once everyone is together. We want to give April and Allie a chance to get comfortable in their new pool before introducing them to Semo.

Have the dolphin presentations changed?
Dolphin presentations are going to be a little different for the time being. April and Allie are becoming familiar with where they should be for their feeds, and are being reintroduced to their behaviors. Expect lots of stopping and starting for awhile. It will give everyone a great opportunity to see April and Allie, and for them to get a chance to see you! We appreciate your patience while we work on bringing our pod together!
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February 5, 2008
Listen to Jenny, Marine Mammal Trainer


January 30, 2008
It has been a busy week! The Zoo’s new dolphins, Allie and April, have been introduced to a few of their trainers–and the trainers have been busy getting to know both of them.

Here at the Zoo, dolphins learn behaviors by hand signals. Hand signals vary; for example, Semo and Spree’s signals are different than April and Allie’s. This is normal, and it just takes a little time on the trainer’s part to learn them. The most important part is for the trainers to form a relationship with the new dolphins. The trainers love working with April and Allie!

The most exciting news is that Spree, our five-year-old female dolphin, was introduced to Allie and April early in the week. Spree was a little nervous at first, since April is the dominant female dolphin. April lets the other female dolphins know that she’s “in control” by tail lobbing and “jaw clapping,” or clamping her jaw shut with a loud popping sound. This is just the way dolphins communicate. April is still dominant, but Spree is getting used to this and the two have started doing training sessions in the same pool together which is very exciting!


Our new dolphins (and trainers!) have made great progress this week. Check back again next week for more developments with April and Allie.

-Jenny, Marine Mammal Trainer

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January 23, 2008
I spent the beginning of January in sunny Florida, meeting April and Allie, the Minnesota Zoo’s two new female dolphins. During this time, I became familiar with both animals, learned all about their training and behaviors, and worked closely with their trainers.


Transporting the dolphins from Florida to Minnesota went smoothly. April and Allie rested inside carriers that were filled with water throughout their plane ride. The pilots of the cargo plane were very interested in the dolphins and took great care to take off and land carefully. It was very cold in Minnesota, so we kept April and Allie covered with towels during the short move from the plane to the airplane hanger, and then to the heated semi-truck that helped deliver them to the Zoo. Once in the water, April and Allie popped right up to eat, which was wonderful! We had dolphin trainers at the Zoo overnight to make sure that they were adjusting well to their new home.

April and Allie are separated right now from the Zoo’s resident dolphins, Semo and Spree, so we can make sure the new dolphins are getting acclimated and eating well. Semo and Spree played it cool at first, not knowing who their new pool mates were. Soon enough, Semo, our adult male dolphin, realized that the new dolphins were female, and since then, he spends most of his time looking at them through the gate or showing off with tail lobs and breaches.

Check back next week to read a little bit more about our two new dolphins!

-Jenny, marine mammal trainer

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Thanks!
spree