【Sendai Uminomori Aquarium】First Bottlenose Dolphin Baby "El" Turns One! "El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY" 【May 19 (Tue) - June 26 (Fri), 2026】

“Sendai Uminomori Aquarium,” an aquarium that creates new “connections” between the sea and people, and water and people, will hold the “El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY” event from May 19 (Tuesday) to June 26 (Friday), 2026, to commemorate the first birthday of El, its first bottlenose dolphin baby. Bottlenose dolphin baby “El” was born on May 28, 2025. Initially, she swam unsteadily by her mother Coral’s side, but over the past year, she has grown tremendously, now able to swim swiftly by herself and even jump with adult dolphins. This event is designed to deliver El’s charm to everyone who has watched her grow, as well as those who are newly introduced to El through this event, encouraging them to continue watching her growth. El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY Bottlenose dolphin “El” was born on May 28, 2025. Starting from swimming unsteadily by her mother’s side, she has made significant progress over the past year, now able to swim swiftly on her own and even jump with adult dolphins. Her nickname “El” was chosen from 1,786 applications received between July 19 and August 24, 2025. The name “El” comes from “Yell,” and the reason for its selection was: “Feeling encouraged by her strong spirit to live despite being small, swimming independently right after birth without being taught, diligently breathing even when it was difficult, and trying to find and drink her mother’s milk, full of the power to live.” The staff’s hope is that she will be a presence that encourages others and receives support. “El” was born at a significant milestone, the 10th anniversary of Sendai Uminomori Aquarium on July 1, 2025. She has been watched over by many visitors as a symbol of the aquarium. This event is designed to deliver El’s charm to everyone who has watched her grow, as well as those who are newly introduced to El through this event, encouraging them to continue watching her growth. English Name: Bottlenose dolphin Scientific Name: Tursiops truncatus Distribution: Oceans worldwide, excluding the Arctic and Antarctic. Ecology: Body length 2.7-3.3m, weight 250-300kg. They have a thick and short beak. El’s Growth Photo Exhibition Approximately 15 photos of El from birth to recent times will be displayed on the pillars of Uminomori Stadium, allowing visitors to enjoy her growth record along with comments from the breeding staff. Through these adorable photos, visitors can learn about El and the growth of bottlenose dolphins. Period: May 19 (Tuesday) - June 26 (Friday), 2026 Location: 2F Uminomori Stadium Special Birthday Party Event to be held on May 28, her birthday! On Thursday, May 28, her birthday, a special birthday event will be held. We will celebrate El’s birthday together with our guests, featuring a gift of an ice cake made by the keepers, an explanation about El, and singing El’s birthday song together. Period: May 28 (Thursday), 2026 Time: 11:00 AM (approx. 10 minutes) Location: 2F Uminomori Stadium “Dolphin Sukusuku Watching” Participation Benefits During the “El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY” event period, participants in the paid program “Dolphin Sukusuku Watching” will receive an “Event-limited design El can badge.” In “Dolphin Sukusuku Watching,” you can stand on the stage of Uminomori Stadium and observe dolphin parenting up close. You can hear explanations about El, the dolphin baby, as well as dolphin ecology, training methods, and facilities. Period: May 19 (Tuesday) - June 26 (Friday), 2026 Time: Weekdays 10:30/12:00/14:30 Weekends/Holidays 10:30/12:00/13:30 (approx. 20 minutes) Fee: 500 yen (for one person aged 4 and above) Reception: 1F Program Reception Location: 2F Uminomori Stadium Sales of El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY Commemorative Original Goods To commemorate the “El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY” event, original goods will be sold.