Another Subic park dolphin pregnant

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Another dolphin will be born next year at the Ocean Adventure Marine Park (OAMP) here, park administrators announced yesterday.

“This is a result of the nurturing environment provided for all animals at the marine theme park and the care and affection bestowed upon them by the OAMP,” said Gail Laule, executive vice president of Ocean Adventure.

Last Saturday, the OAMP named a dolphin calf “Lana,” born to Hali last Aug. 31.

“This shows we are doing the right thing in taking care of our animals,” Laule said, adding they are confident that Lana’s arrival is the beginning of many births at the park.

Laule said they recently found 12-year-old dolphin Vi in her fourth month of pregnancy. A dolphin gives birth in 12 months.

Vi is expected to give birth around June next year, adding yet another dolphin calf to the growing Ocean Adventure family.

“The fact that dolphins breed inside the Ocean Adventure facility shows how comfortable the animals are with their environment. It’s a positive sign that we have a growing population here at Ocean Adventure,” OAMP animal training director Nuno Ramao said in a statement.

The OAMP said it allocates adequate resources for the welfare of the animals and provides them with expert care and medical attention.

Animal rights groups are against keeping dolphins in captivity.