BLUE
Blue is a female bottlenose dolphin born on June 26, 1997 at the Rimini Dolphinarium. His parents are Beta and Speedy. In the year 2001, Blue's mother, Beta, was transferred to the Aquarium of Genoa after suffering an accident that resulted in an injury to her rostrum. Blue's attention then focused on another adult female who, at the time, lived at the dolphinarium, named Alpha. Her second child, Luna, who among other things is Blue's elder sister (they share the same father), seemed as though not to accept that the young dolphin was asking for her mother's attention, so much so as to inflict heavy harassment on her. It was decided that, to ensure her safety, Blue should be transferred to the Aquarium of Genoa shortly thereafter, where she would live with her mother for the next four years. In 2005, she was definitively transferred to the Oltremare Park in Riccione. Her mother Beta, who remained in Genoa, died in 2008.
The Oltremare Park in Riccione became part of the Italian and European breeding program also thanks to Blue, who became a mother for the first time on 9 June 2007 with the birth of a baby boy baptized with the name of "Mosè", sired by a dolphin named Bravo. First successful birth at the park since the day of opening and openly declared to the public, after two weeks the baby died due to a genetic defect. In 2008, Blue gave birth again but the calf died less than a week later. Due to the simultaneous death of Cleo's baby in the same year, the park management decided not to announce the births of their dolphins as quickly as the first months of life are very risky and require constant care.
With the spotlights off, on 2 July 2010, in the curatorial pools behind the dolphin lagoon of Oltremare, Blue gave birth to her third baby, later called Zeus three months after her birth. This time, Blue and the newborn were assisted by trainers and veterinarians from the Rimini Dolphinarium, Blue's birthplace. Four years later, under the new management of Costa Parchi Eduntainment (the same that manages the Genoa Aquarium), on 9 August 2014 Blue gives birth to her fourth calf, a male, baptized with the name of Taras. Both babies, born and raised successfully, were conceived with another adult dolphin, named Micha.
How to recognize Blue
- Blue's rostrum has a particular conformation, appearing bent upwards. For this reason, she was given the nickname "scucchia".
- Her dorsal fin is sickle-shaped and absent of notches.
- Blue features a sleek, sleek body, which gives her to perform certain unique jumps and behaviors!
- Her caudal fin has two deep notches in the middle.
- Her eyes are huge and surrounded by a black tint.
Each would define Blue's character as unique and unmistakable compared to other dolphins. Hers is a child personality, curious and always eager for company. Trainers love to work with her, as she is a very sweet and loving dolphin, as well as energetic and fun.
Photo Credit: © Elisa