The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program documented 10 new bottlenose dolphin calves in Florida's Sarasota Bay between May and August 2026. Several were born to mothers whose own survival was helped by past rescues, a sign of how long-term research and protection support the bay's resident dolphins.
Florida's Sarasota Bay has had a busy year for baby dolphins. The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, the long-running study of the bay's resident bottlenose dolphins, documented 10 new calves between May and August 2026, and some of their mothers have remarkable stories of their own.
What's trending
According to the program's 2026 calf report, the first calf of the year arrived on May 1 to Keeley, a 22-year-old dolphin having her sixth calf. She was spotted about two miles from where her great-grandmother was first identified in 1971.
Other highlights from the season:
- Nellie, rescued in 2010 when a team of about 30 people freed her from plastic twine and a metal hook, had her fourth calf on June 6
- Nori had her first calf on August 11. Nori's own mother, Ginger, was rescued from a beach on Siesta Key, rehabilitated and returned to the bay, and has since had four calves
- Patch, Mabel, Lily, Clover and Bobbitt were among the other mothers seen with newborns over the summer
Why it's resonating
The program describes Sarasota Bay's dolphins as long-term residents that live in the same areas over generations, which is why researchers can follow families like Keeley's across five decades. The report also notes the risks calves face: a power boat passes dolphins in the bay about every six minutes, and about 1 in 20 of the bay's dolphins carry scars from boat strikes. The program asks boaters to stay at least 50 yards away.
Dolphins in the nursery
Baby dolphins are a big part of why ocean themes are so popular for little ones, from nursery prints to first birthday parties. For a party, a friendly cartoon dolphin is an easy way to add sea life without the scary side of the ocean. Our Oneder the Sea first birthday invitation pairs a baby mermaid with a smiling dolphin in an aqua and coral sea.
The bottom line
Ten calves and several rescue success stories make 2026 a good year for Sarasota Bay's dolphin families. If you're out on the water in Florida, give them their 50 yards of space.