Happy Birthday, Spirit!

National Aquarium is celebrating a very special birthday today! Spirit, one of our female dolphins, born at the Aquarium on April 13, 2001, is 12 years old today!

About Spirit

Gender: Female

YUM! Spirit eats about 20.5 pounds of fish every day!

Weight: 380 pounds

Family Tree: Daughter of Nani (dam) and Nalu (sire)

Guests can often see Spirit playing with her mom, Nani, and friend, Jade!

How to Recognize Her: Spirit’s eyes are larger and darker in color. You can also recognize her by her crooked teeth in the lower right side of rostrum.

Trainer’s Note: Spirit is very playful and loves learning new behaviors. She is currently starting to practice a new move called a “fluke fling”!

Stop by today to see Spirit practice her new fluke move! Can’t come wish Spirit a Happy Birthday in person this weekend? Leave her a message on our Facebook page! 

Get a closer look at Spirit

Spirit is another one of the younger dolphins born at the National Aquarium. She is very playful and loves learning new behaviors for the shows.  In fact, she is usually the first dolphin to try out a new toy.

She is the daughter of Nani, the oldest dolphin living here at the Aquarium, and was born on April 13, 2001. She will turn 8 years old in just a few days!  Spirit was named in honor of September 11th. She is living up to that honor, as she is always showing off her spirit during shows! Take a look:

Learn more about all of our dolphins by visiting the brand new dolphin show website at  www.aqua.org/dolphins!