You Can Help Choose Name For Newest Bottle Nose Dolphin

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INDIANAPOLIS — What would you name the Indianapolis Zoo’s new bottlenose dolphin calf?

He’s more than a month old, and in need of a name.

The Indianapolis Zoo has created a Facebook poll, so you can help name the newest addition to Indy’s dolphin family.

Indianapolis Zoo New Bottlenose Dolphin Calf

 

Zookeepers have selected three names.

The choices are:

August, the month the calf was born

Leo, which symbolizes grandeur and courage

Maui, a demigod from Polynesian mythology

Indianapolis Zoo New Bottlenose Dolphin Calf

 

The poll is open until noon on Wednesday, Oct. 9. You can vote once per day on Facebook, and the winning name will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 10.

One Zoo fan will also be chosen to receive an Indianapolis Zoo prize pack, including four Zoo admission passes and a dolphin plush.

Dolphin trainers say the calf has been improving his maneuvering skills and starting to independently swim short distances.

He now weighs 66 pounds, which is nearly double what he weighed at birth.

Video courtesy Indianapolis Zoo

 

The Zoo’s Marine Mammal staff is still monitoring mom and baby around the clock, and they continue to do daily medical checks.

Kalei and her baby are still behind the scenes at the St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion, but you can still visit the rest of the pod in the underwater dome.