A Troubled Welcome: New Dolphin Calf Born at Brookfield Zoo Dies Just Days Later

In early June, Brookfield Zoo in Chicago announced the birth of a bottlenose dolphin calf—the first born at the zoo in over a decade. However, just four days later, the zoo quietly released the tragic news that the calf has died. 

This isn’t just a heartbreaking loss—it’s a painful reminder of why dolphin breeding in captivity is inherently flawed, and why World Animal Protection US continues to oppose it.

Breeding Dolphins in Captivity Doesn’t Help Conservation

Let’s be clear: breeding bottlenose dolphins in tanks has nothing to do with conservation and does nothing to help their wild counterparts. These animals are not endangered, and captive-born dolphins cannot be released into natural habitats. They lack the survival skills necessary to navigate oceans, find food, and avoid predators—because they were never given the chance to learn them. They’re raised to live—and die—in human-made enclosures, destined to spend their lives performing or on display. 

Instead, breeding programs like this one exist to keep dolphin shows and “interactive exhibits” going. They’re designed to replenish the zoo’s “supply” of animals—not to protect wild populations. Conservation happens in the wild, not in a concrete tank. 

When zoos and aquariums breed animals like dolphins, they’re supporting a business model that relies on the continuous birth of new animals to keep the public entertained and ticket sales flowing. 

A Life Without the Ocean

This calf will never swim alongside their pod in the open ocean. Instead, they spent their too-short life confined to a small, barren tank that fails to meet their complex needs. In the wild, dolphins can travel over 60 miles a day, dive hundreds of feet deep, and live in dynamic social groups. No tank—no matter how “state-of-the-art”—can replicate that. 

The calf born at Brookfield Zoo never even had the chance to experience life. After an initial few days where zoo officials said they observed “nursing and bonding,” the dolphin calf suddenly declined and died within minutes on June 11. The zoo says a necropsy is underway to determine the cause, but the outcome is already clear: this calf was never meant to live in captivity. 

Science has shown time and time again that captivity harms dolphins. They suffer both physically and mentally from living in artificial environments. From stress-induced repetitive behaviors to shortened lifespans and compromised immune systems, dolphins in captivity are a shadow of who they are meant to be. 

Despite 24/7 monitoring and round-the-clock veterinary care, this dolphin died just days after birth. If a dolphin cannot survive in an environment supposedly designed to “care” for them, how can we pretend captivity is ever safe? 

World Animal Protection US Opposes the Breeding of Cetaceans in Captivity

At World Animal Protection, we believe animals should live free—not be confined for our entertainment. That’s why we strongly oppose the breeding of cetaceans (like dolphins and whales) in captivity. Decades of research has made it painfully clear: these sentient, intelligent animals simply do not belong in tanks. 

Dolphins in tanks exhibit stress-related behaviors, develop illnesses, and often live shorter lives than their counterparts in the wild. And calves—like the one at Brookfield—are especially vulnerable. The heartbreaking truth is that neonatal mortality rates for wild animals born in captivity are unacceptably high. 

This tragic outcome is not a fluke. It’s a pattern. One that proves captivity does not and cannot prioritize the well-being of these sentient beings. Breeding more dolphins into this system only continues a cycle of suffering. It’s not education. It’s not conservation. It’s exploitation. 

It’s Time to Rethink What “Education” Looks Like

We don’t need to keep dolphins in tanks to teach people about marine life. In fact, doing so sends the wrong message—that it's acceptable to hold wildlife captive for our enjoyment.

Modern technology gives us powerful tools to learn about wild animals in their natural habitats. From documentaries to virtual reality experiences, there are countless ways to inspire people to protect animals without harming them.

What You Can Do

• Say no to dolphin shows and swim-with-dolphin experiences.
• Speak out against dolphin breeding programs.
• Learn more about viewing wildlife ethically.

Dolphins Belong in the Ocean, Not a Tank

The birth, short life, and death of this dolphin calf at Brookfield Zoo should serve as a wake-up call. This wasn’t a conservation success story. It was an avoidable tragedy. 

At World Animal Protection US, we mourn this loss, but more importantly, we renew our call to action: stop breeding dolphins in captivity. Shut down dolphin shows and swim-with-dolphin experiences. Redirect resources to protecting wild dolphins—where they can swim freely, live naturally, and thrive. 

Ready to take action for dolphins? Join World Animal Protection’s FREE community, Animal Champions, and keep updated on action alerts, events, and more.