Training Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins 'Tursiops truncatus' for Artificial Insemination

摘要

This paper has described some basic training techniques for AI of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Both male and female dolphins, after training, voluntarily submitted to blood collection via fluke bleeding. Male dolphins were trained for semen collection, while females were trained to submit for AI procedures. Similar AI programs of other species of small cetaceans, if successful, could decrease our reliance on acquiring mammals from the wild. A marine mammal sperm bank also could ensure genetic variability and preserve gene pools of endangered species. (kt)