A baby for released captive dolphin

We are delighted that a formerly captive Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin named Chunsam has been seen with a baby by the Dolphin Research Group of Jeju University/Ewha Womans University.

Chunsam, along with two other dolphins, Jedol and Sampal, spent more than three years in captivity after being captured illegally in South Korea. They were released under court order in spring 2013.

Sampal was spotted with a calf in April this year and Chunsam’s new baby is estimated to have been born between late June and mid-July 2016 because she was last seen without a calf by her side at the end of June and because her baby has clear fetal folds. 

This wonderful news shows that release programmes can work and that dolphins who are suitable for a return to the wild can go on to live rich and full lives.