----- Original Message -----
From: Annelise Sorg
To: Coalition For No Whales In Captivity
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 9:22 AM
Subject: 6. Vancouver Aquarium dolphin acquired from Japan thought to be pregnant
Please write letters to the editor and make sure to send them separately to each newspaper - and blind copy us. Your letter should not be more than a couple of paragraphs long.
Nobody knew that this dolphin arrived in Vancouver already pregnant and it took the VanAquarium 5 months to train her to be able to take blood samples. Inefficiency at it's best.
Six baby dolphins (3 orcas and 3 belugas) have been born at the Vancouver Aquarium and only one has survived. If they are going to breed dolphins, it should be to replenish wild populations, not aquarium exhibits.
Thank you!
Annelise Sorg cfnwic@whaleprotection.org
COALITION FOR NO WHALES IN CAPTIVITY
www.nowhalesincaptivity.org
Vancouver Sun sunletters@png.canwest.com
The Province provletters@png.canwest.com
CKNW nwnews@cknw.com
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Aquarium getting maternity ward ready for baby dolphin
May, 09 2006 - 2:40 AM
VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - The Vancouver Aquarium is expecting a new addition this summer.
Hana, an 11-year-old Pacific white-sided dolphin, is pregnant.
Veterinarian Dr. Dave Huff says blood tests show Hana's progesterone levels are high, suggesting she's pregnant. An ultrasound next week will confirm if Hana is expecting and give an approximate due date.
It would be the first dolphin born in the Aquarium's 50-year history.
But not everyone is excited about an impending birth.
Annelise Sorg of the group No Whales in Captivity says three Orcas born at the Aquarium died in the 1990's.
She says two baby Beluga calves also died, the last being three-year-old Tuvaq who died last year.
Sorg says Hana is living in poor conditions for having a calf and believes the chances of her baby surviving are slim.
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Aquarium dolphin acquired from Japan thought to be pregnant
Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, May 09, 2006
VANCOUVER - Blood tests have confirmed that Hana, one of the Vancouver Aquarium's Pacific white-sided dolphins is likely pregnant.
"Absolute confirmation will come when we can see the dolphin calf through the use of ultrasound technology," said Clint Wright, vice-president of operations and animal management. "We hope to conduct that procedure soon."
Last fall, 11-year-old Hana arrived at the aquarium with another Pacific white-sided dolphin, Helen, 18. Both came from Enoshima Aquarium in Japan, where they received medical attention after becoming entangled in fishing nets. They have continued their rehabilitation Vancouver.
Hana appears to be in excellent health. She is still very active and shows little outward appearance of being pregnant. Once more is known, the aquarium will provide visitors and the media with additional information.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
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Aquarium's new dolphin may be expecting baby
Ultrasound next week to confirm suspicions
Lora Grindlay, The Province
Published: Tuesday, May 09, 2006
A baby dolphin is expected at the Vancouver Aquarium this summer.
Blood tests revealing high progesterone levels -- the main hormone of pregnancy -- indicate Hana, an 11-year-old Pacific white-sided dolphin, is pregnant.
An ultrasound next week will provide confirmation and a due date.
It would be the first dolphin born in the aquarium's 50-year history.
Veterinarian Dave Huff said Hana's progesterone levels were high just before she was shipped to Vancouver in October from Japan's Enoshima Aquarium, where she was housed with numerous males.
Because Hana had very little training, it took until February to teach her to present her tail fluke so blood samples could be taken.
Again, her blood had high levels of progesterone.
"All indications are that she is pregnant," said Huff, who thinks she has become more "stout" around the middle.
"But the gold standard is an ultrasound. If all goes well, it's staring you right in the face and there's a little baby in there."
Brian Sheehan, curator of marine mammals, has been training Hana to position herself for an ultrasound. She has mastered presenting her belly at the edge of the pool and is used to the probe but the machine hasn't been turned on.
Sheehan said the dolphin is a quick learner.
"She's fantastic. She's gentle, she's got great attention, loves rubs and has great interactions," he said.
Annelise Sorg of No Whales in Captivity was sorry to hear that another baby is expected at the aquarium.
She noted that three orcas born at the aquarium died in the '90s and two baby beluga calves also died, the last being three-year-old Tuvaq who died last year.
"I don't know what's going to happen with this poor little dolphin but our heart goes out to her," said Sorg.
"She is in the worst conditions ever for having a calf and the probabilities of her baby surviving is very, very slim."
Hana arrived at the aquarium in October along with Helen, 18. Both dolphins had received medical treatment at Enoshima Aquarium where they were taken in 2003 after becoming entangled in fishing nets.
lgrindlay@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Province 2006
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VANCOUVER AQUARIUM VETS SUSPECT DOLPHIN PREGNANCY ULTRASOUND WILL PROVIDE
CONCLUSIVE ANSWER
May 08,
Blood test results show that Hana, one of the Vancouver Aquarium's Pacific
white-sided dolphins is likely pregnant. It is hoped that an ultrasound will
confirm a birth due sometime in the next few months. The average gestation
period for these animals is 12 months.
"Absolute confirmation will come when we can see the dolphin calf through
the use of ultrasound technology," said Clint Wright, Vice President of
Operations & Animal Management. "We hope to conduct that procedure soon."
The Aquarium's high level of veterinary care involves training animals to
perform medical behaviours on a voluntary and cooperative basis. Trainers
have been working with Hana to prepare her for an ultrasound. During this
harmless procedure, she will be asked to float at the surface of the water
while a member of the Aquarium's veterinary team examines her sides and
abdomen with the ultrasound device. Given her progress to date, the Aquarium
expects to be able to conduct the procedure within the next week or so. Last
fall, 11-year-old Hana arrived at the Aquarium with another Pacific
white-sided dolphin, Helen, 18. Both came from Enoshima Aquarium in Japan,
where they received extensive medical attention after becoming accidentally
entangled in fishing nets. They have continued their rehabilitation and
training in Vancouver. When Hana arrived, she was initially called by her
rehabilitation number, Eight. Following a naming contest, she was renamed
Hana, which means flower or blossom.
As a rehabilitation animal, Hana had minimal training when she arrived. But
since that time, trainers have been working with her on animal husbandry and
other training. Over the past few months she has advanced considerably.
Based on blood tests and behavioural observations, Hana appears to be in
excellent health. She is still very active and shows little outward
appearance of being pregnant. Once more is known, the Aquarium will provide
visitors and the media with additional information.
source: Travelvideo