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Baby Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Born At Shedd Aquarium

(CBS) -- The Shedd Aquarium welcomed a new dolphin Monday morning as the Pacific white-sided dolphin Piquet gave birth to a healthy calf, the aquarium announced.

The calf is approximately three feet in length and weighs about 28 pounds. Its gender has not yet been determined.

Both the mother and the calf are doing well the Shedd said and staff will be monitoring them 24 hours a day for several months.

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(Credit: Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium)

It is the second successful birth for Piquet. In 2012, she gave birth to Sagu, who remaines at the Shedd.

"We are thrilled about the birth; however, a calf must reach several milestones in its first days and months, such as continuing to bond with its mother, learning to nurse, and later, learning to feed independently," said Tim Binder, executive vice president of animal care for Shedd Aquarium. "Animal care and animal health staffs are excited and hopeful and are using the knowledge gained through previous births to help monitor and ensure mother and calf are meeting these important milestones."

The public will not be able to view the calf and its mother until the first critical period has passed, the Shedd said.

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