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MONTHLY NEWS November 1996 Longest Breeding Record at Shimoda Aquarium |
The Shimoda Floating Aquarium in Shizuoka Prefecture established a new world record on September 17 when a false killer whale it has been raising spent its 9,409th day there. The aquarium beat a record previously held for the species--a close relative of the common dolphin--by Sea Life Park in Hawaii.
The marine mammal, nicknamed Jumbo, was captured at a port in the city of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, in December 1970. Measuring 4.2 meters (13 3/4 feet) long and weighing around 650 kilograms (1,400 pounds), Jumbo is one of the stars of a dolphin show the aquarium presents for visitors. |
Soichi Hagiwara, who has been looking after Jumbo for 19 years, says, "False killer whales are very intelligent and can be trained to perform a variety of skills. But it's also very important to respect their wishes."
Since Jumbo is one of the oldest dolphins at the aquarium, she has often looked after newcomers--not just of her own species but also of bottlenose dolphins. She has also looked after baby dolphins born to her "female friends." Jumbo, estimated to be around 30 years old, is expected to give birth to her first offspring by next March.
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Photos: (top) Jumbo is one of the stars of the Shimoda Aquarium's dolphin show.
(above) Making human friends.
(right) The false killer whale has a blunted muzzle, unlike the beaked snout of the common dolphin. (Shimoda Floating Aquarium)