Shedd aquarium welcomes new white-sided dolphin

The pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins at Shedd Aquarium has a new addition with the birth of a calf on Memorial Day.

The mother, Piquet (pee-KEHT), and calf appear well and will remain under 24-hour observation for several months.

Shortly after its birth, the animal swam to the surface, took its first breath and began to swim and bond with its mother. The calf's gender has yet to be determined.

The dolphins are a prized attraction, performing acrobatic leaps as high as 20 feet during a show at the aquarium.

But the new arrival will be kept from public view during a period of critical developmental milestones. The calf must continue to bond with its mother as well as learn to nurse and later to feed on its own.