Bayley the dolphin turns 1!

The National Aquarium is celebrating a birthday! Bayley, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin born at the Aquarium on July 27, 2008, is one year old today. The public is invited to share in her birthday celebration during the Aquarium’s first ever public enrichment building day on Saturday, August 8. Click here for details!

Bayley is one of 10 dolphins living at the National Aquarium. At one year old, she is still nursing from her mother but also eating about six pounds of fish a day. She spends most of her time with her mother, Chesapeake, and other adult female dolphins, but also plays with 2 year old Foster who shares the pools with her. She is very active and eager to learn and play, and is already participating in shows!

In lieu of presents, you can TXT the word ACT to 20222 to give Bayley a gift! Your $5 donation will support the care and feeding of Bayley and her 16,000 aquatic friends at the Aquarium.

Environmental enrichment is an important part of the care animals recieve at the National Aquarium. While these items may be seen as just toys, the animal care staff is actually encouraging natural behaviors and giving the animals something new to investigate in their environment. Animals engage in lots of behaviors and enrichment gives them the opportunity to forage, hide, explore and play.  Play helps many animals, including dolphins, develop behavioral skills they need throughout life. 

By providing simple, everyday items, such as paper towel rolls for birds or basketballs for dolphins, the animals can practice a wide range of behaviors. Interested in making enrichment items for your animals at home? Click here to learn more.