Chopper (GMAP)

Chopper is a 12 year old male Atlantic bottlenose dolphin that lives at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. He was born on the 21st of September, 2011 to Maia and Sebastian at Gulf World Marine Park.

## Immediate Family

### Grandmothers

Cola\* (Deceased 2008)Sabrina\* (Deceased 2013)

### Grandfathers

Lightning (Captured 1989)Stein\* (Deceased 2007)

## Extended Family

### Half Sisters

1. Damara (Born 2007)
2. Alia\* (Deceased 2018)
3. Chloe\* (Deceased 2010)
4. Angel\* (Deceased 2018)
5. Kaya (Born 2015)

### Half Brothers

1. Foster (Born 2007)
2. Lagos\* (Deceased 2015)
3. GWMP-TT-B0901\* (Deceased 2009)
4. Striker (Born 2010)
5. Jett (Born 2010)

### Other Half Sibings

1. GWMP-TT-B0902\* (Deceased 2009)
2. GMAP-TT-U1401\* (Stillborn 2014)
3. GMAP-TT-B1401\* (Born 2014)

### Aunts

1. Penny\* (Deceased 2004)
2. Beaker (Born 1991)
3. Peanut\* (Deceased 2010)
4. Malibu (Born 1998)
5. Indie (Born 2001)
6. Ripley\* (Deceased 2004)
7. Zana (Born 2003)
8. Zoe\* (Deceased 2004)
9. Venus\* (Euthanized 2008)
10. Luna (Born 2005)
11. Frankie II (Born 2007)
12. Luna (Born 2007 via AI)
13. Bermudiana (Born 2007 via AI)
14. Bella\* (Deceased 2022)
15. Naiya (Deceased 2013)
16. Coco (Born 2017)

### Uncles

1. Suds\* (Deceased 1998)
2. Diego (Born 1997)
3. Nitro (Born 2003)
4. Sgt. Pepper\* (Deceased 2009)
5. K2\* (Deceased 2022)
6. Miramar (Born 2011)

### Other Aunts/Uncles

1. SWC-TT-U9001\* (Stillborn 1990)
2. SWC-TT-B9301\* (Deceased 1993)
3. SWC-TT-B9402\* (Deceased 1994)
4. SWC-TT-U9501\* (Stillborn 1995)
5. SWF-TT-B0101\* (Deceased 2001)
6. SWC-TT-B0602\* (Deceased 2006)
7. SWF-TT-U1201\* (Miscarried 2012)

### Female Cousins

1. Copper\* (Deceased 2013)
2. SWC-TT-B0201\* (Deceased 2002)
3. Captain (Born 2005)
4. Kyla (Born 2009)
5. Kali (Born 2009)
6. Koa (Born 2009)
7. Avalon (Born 2009)
8. Chloe\* (Deceased 2010)
9. Soleil (Born 2016)
10. Lady Aces (Born 2019)

### Male Cousins

1. Bodine\* (Deceased 2010)
2. Bunsen (Born 1998)
3. Polka (Born 2000)
4. Zeke (Born 2013)
5. Bodie (Born 2014)
6. Jack (Born 2019 via AI)

### Other Cousins

1. SWC-TT-B0401\* (Deceased 2004)
2. SWC-TT-U0401\* (Stillborn 2004)
3. GWMP-TT-B0902\* (Deceased 2009)

## Transfer History

### Transfer #1

15th of March, 2014 - Gulf World Marine Park to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

## Birth & Early Life

Maia gave birth to her first calf on the 21st of September, 2011 at Gulf World Marine Park. He was later discovered to be a male, sired by Sebastian, and was named Chopper. Only 6 years old at the time, Maia proved to be a good mother and nursed Chopper well, as he had no issues within his first year of life. It is likely that he lived with his older half brothers, Striker and Jett. When Chopper was a year and a half old, likely around late 2012 or early 2013, Chopper was transferred between enclosures and away from his mother so he could learn basic behaviors, as well as to stop his mother from lactating.

Upon his arrival back to the main enclosure in late 2013, Chopper was often picked on by other dolphins. He was owned by SeaWorld, which indicated that he was likely to be transferred not long after the return. As a result, he was one of the least ranked animals that trainers would want to bond with because he would be separated from them soon after. Ashley Guidry, one of the staff members, later became Chopper's main trainer. During this time, he was described as an "easygoing and engaging, a sweetheart of a dolphin." Later being transferred out in 2014, his mother was pregnant at the time and would later give birth to his younger half sister named Angel. Unfortunately, she died 4 years later in 2018, meaning the two never met.

## Onto Gulfarium

As a result of being owned by SeaWorld, 3-year-old Chopper arrived at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park on the 15th of March, 2014. He was paired with his father and females Delilah and Lily. Another male dolphin named Cosmo joined them two months later. In 2015, Lily gave birth to a female named Kaya, and Zeke, a male dolphin 2 years younger then Chopper, was also transferred to the facility. It is likely that Chopper met Zeke when both were still living at Gulf World.

## Personality

Chopper is a very creative individual, and can often be described as full of energy. His favorite tactile behaviors from trainers are back rubs and tongue pats. Nicknamed Chop, Chopper can be very curious about his surroundings.

## Gallery

**If you are going to use any of these photos, please credit the photographer and/or the provider. *NOT ALL PHOTOS CAN BE USED!!***

    **Photos by Lexie Hadrych.**

## Sources

1. ↑ “The Dolphin Trainer Who Loved Dolphins Too Much.” *Longreads*, 15 Apr. 2015, longreads.com/2015/04/15/the-dolphin-trainer-who-loved-dolphins-too-much/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
2. ↑ “Gulf World Family Grows.” *Panama City News Herald*, www.newsherald.com/story/lifestyle/2014/05/11/1-317996/33933928007/. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.
3. ↑ Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park – Ceta-Base. 20 Mar. 2023, www.cetabase.org/inventory/gulfarium/. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.
4. ↑ “Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park” Www.facebook.com, www.facebook.com/Gulfarium/posts/pfbid02HDzXVyCMNnUHpb33JKcLGZMnYCa8rLXNEQnBH9acHtLbE3mVWKJFq1YvHqU2dUQjl. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.
5. ↑ “Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park” Www.facebook.com, www.facebook.com/Gulfarium/posts/pfbid0ws2KypHrVZmTJmQwZXdtJjr8GxstRhzjB3AxEKXxnro7tp1qyGFSbLoyyUqh5g7l. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.