The banded dolphins active in Marine Live are trained daily for performance. Training for health checks, such as temperature measurements and blood sampling, is also essential so that any physical abnormalities can be detected at an early stage. Dolphins with a possible pregnancy are first tested for levels of pregnancy-related hormones in their blood. If the hormone levels are persistently high, pregnancy is determined. Human pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound (echo) examination to check for a baby in the abdomen. In fact, echo examinations are performed on dolphins as well as humans.
　The dolphins are placed on their backs in a pool and an echo machine (probe) is placed on their stomachs to observe what is going on inside their bodies. Of course, this is not as easy as with humans. Dolphins who experience echo for the first time are wary of the machine and have difficulty with it. After repeating the examination several times, they learn that it does not hurt, and they are able to observe carefully. The gestation period of bottlenose dolphins is about one year, and they give birth to one baby at a time. The size of the fetus can be measured by ultrasound to predict when the baby will be born. When it is time to give birth, the mother is moved to a birthing pool to ensure a safe delivery.

　Also, in humans, body temperature drops just prior to childbirth, and dolphins show similar changes. Dolphins and whales lower their body temperature by approximately 1°C 24 hours before giving birth. When the due date for birth approaches, body temperature is measured each morning with great excitement.
　We support the mother dolphin to give birth safely by conducting echo examinations and measuring her body temperature in this way.
　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 (Miki Ozaki)