Baby Dolphin Birth Expected This Spring At Shedd Aquarium

By Kate Shepherd in News on Jan 25, 2016 10:10PM

Katrl, c/o Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd Aquarium is expecting a baby dolphin. Katrl, a 28-year-old Pacific white-sided dolphin, is in her third trimester of pregnancy, the aquarium announced in a statement.

She's healthy and the baby is expected in the late spring. It's Katrl's first pregnancy, and Shedd caretakers are optimistic about the upcoming birth.

Since there are fewer than 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins in captivity in North American zoos, Shedd officials say Katrl's pregnancy is very important to scientists studying the dolphins' behaviors and reproductive system. The dolphins are typically found in the North Pacific Ocean and they're known for having a "suspender-like stripe" on their bodies.