Baby Bottlenose Dolphin at The Mirage
Named “Lady Ace” to Honor Hometown WNBA Team
Staying true to her #VegasBorn roots, the newest baby dolphin at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage received her official name today — “Lady Ace,” in honor of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, who are currently making a run in the playoffs.
Lady Ace was born August 16 to first-time mother Bella, marking the fourth generation of dolphins represented at the Habitat. For the last five weeks, the proud mother and doting Animal Care team have watched the female calf reach important growth milestones and become a confident swimmer amongst the family of dolphins.
“The Las Vegas Aces are a strong, determined group of women and we couldn’t think of better inspiration for our newest calf,” said Nik Rytterstrom, President & COO of The Mirage. “We are honored to have a special bond with this powerhouse team and are excited to introduce them to their namesake dolphin, after they take home the championship, of course.”
Alongside Lady Ace and Bella are Bella’s grandmother, Duchess; mother, Huf N Puf, and Huf N Puf’s daughter, Coco; and Sofi and Sofi’s daughter, Karli, who celebrated her first birthday on August 11. The father of the new calf is Razzle, a 30-year-old that currently resides at Sea World San Diego.
Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat’s primary focus is on education, conservation and research benefiting marine life and the waters where they live. The Habitat has earned Humane Conservation™ certification from American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare and well-being. It also is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, an international association dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals and to their conservation in the wild through public education, scientific study and wildlife presentations.
Committed to educating guests about the environment, the Sustainability Discovery Center at The Mirage provides information on plastic pollution, marine debris, water facts and how our daily decisions can greatly impact the world’s oceans and animal habitats. Additionally, through Dolphin Trainer 101 and VIP Tour experiences, guests can acquire more in-depth knowledge about dolphin health and behavior, as well as the Dolphin Habitat’s research projects that aid in the survival of bottlenose dolphins in the wild.
Children take special delight in visiting the dolphins and new calves. As part of a continuing arrangement with the Clark County School District, The Mirage welcomes thousands of young students each year to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat during school field trips, at no charge, to view the animals up close.
For admission prices, group reservations and hours of operation, call (702) 791-7188 or visit mirage.com.