Baby dolphin’s name known today

MANILA, Philippines - The public will play a part in naming the new baby dolphin just born at Ocean Adventure Marine Park.

“Hali, a first time dolphin mother, gave birth to a female calf on Aug. 31, 2014 at the Ocean Adventure facility in Subic Bay and is now doing just fine,” said OAMP executive vice president Gail Laule on Thursday.

Laule said the theme park was engaging the public online, through its social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter, about finding a name for Hali’s baby dolphin.

The OAMP family was set to choose the official name yesterday, and a naming ceremony will be held today.

OAMP are collecting people’s suggestions, and putting them to a vote. “This is our way of letting the public in on the exciting experience of having her around. Hali’s baby is truly wonderful, and we want to share that with everyone,” Laule explained.

Since it was posted on Monday, the original post asking the public to name Hali’s baby dolphin has garnered hundreds of likes, with more than 80 names suggested by fans.

The calf, approximately 1.25 meters long and weighing around 20 kilos, is doing fine, with OAMP staff working around the clock to assure optimal care for mother and baby.

Trained volunteers are recording swimming patterns, respiration rates, and nursing times.

Hali, who is 12 years old, was found pregnant during a routine ultrasound last January.

Laule said that from the moment of birth Hali has been a great mom. “She’s done everything right. She pushed the baby to the surface for her first breath, guided her around her new environment, and increased her lung capacity by taking her for progressively longer and deeper swims underwater. Within four hours the baby was nursing, an impressive short timeframe for most newborn dolphins.”

“Hali’s labor and delivery were remarkably easy. Throughout the night she would voluntarily approached trainers and seek a gentle rub down. By 6 a.m. a tiny tail emerged, and 90 minutes later Hali delivered a healthy baby girl,“ Laule said.