Study

Prospects for captive breeding of poorly known small cetacean species

  • Published source details Curry B.E., Ralls K. & Brownell Jr R.L. (2013) Prospects for captive breeding of poorly known small cetacean species. Endangered Species Research, 19, 223-243.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Breed marine and freshwater mammals in captivity

Action Link
Marine and Freshwater Mammal Conservation
  1. Breed marine and freshwater mammals in captivity

    A review of case studies in 1970–2011 at five captive facilities in the USA, China, Indonesia and Venezuela (Curry et al. 2013) found that small numbers of Amazon river dolphins Inia geoffrensis, narrow-ridged finless porpoises Neophocaena asiaeorientalis and Irrawaddy dolphins Orcaella brevirostris were born in captivity but most did not survive. Two Amazon river dolphin calves born in captivity in the 1970s died within 15 days of birth, and two of three calves born in 2000–2009 died within 1.5–5 years. The other calf survived for at least six years. Two of three narrow-ridged finless porpoises born in captivity in 2005–2008 died within 5–39 days of birth. The other calf survived for at least six years. Two Irrawaddy dolphins born in captivity in 1979 were known to survive for at least five years. Live births and the survival of calves in captivity were recorded for each of the three dolphin or porpoise species at five facilities between 1970 and 2011.

    (Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)

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