Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium is holding a special event, "El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY," from May 19 (Tuesday) to June 26 (Friday), 2026, to celebrate the first birthday of its baby bottlenose dolphin, "El."
El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY
El was born on May 28, 2025. In the beginning, the young dolphin could be seen swimming awkwardly close to its mother, Coral, but over the past year it has grown to swim confidently on its own and even jump alongside adult dolphins.
The name "El" was chosen from 1,786 public submissions during a naming campaign held between July 19 and August 24, 2025. The name derives from "yell" (エール in Japanese), a word of encouragement. The reasoning behind the winning submission described how the dolphin's determination to survive — swimming from birth, breathing on its own, and searching for its mother's milk — felt like a push of encouragement. The aquarium's staff also wanted El to be a source of support and cheering for others.
El was born at the milestone of Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium's 10th anniversary (July 1, 2025), and has since become a beloved symbol of the aquarium.
Bottlenose dolphin
English name: Bottlenose dolphin / Scientific name: Tursiops truncatus
Distribution: Oceans worldwide, excluding the Arctic and Antarctic
Size: Body length 2.7–3.3 m, weight 250–300 kg; characterized by a short, thick beak
Growth Photo Exhibition
About 15 photographs of El, taken from birth to the present, will be displayed on pillars at Umino-Mori Stadium (2F), along with comments from the aquarium's animal care staff. Visitors can enjoy tracing El's growth while learning about the dolphin and the development of bottlenose dolphins.
Period: May 19 (Tuesday) to June 26 (Friday), 2026
Location: 2F Umino-Mori Stadium
Special Birthday Party Event on May 28
On El's actual birthday, May 28 (Thursday), a special birthday event will be held. The celebration includes an ice cake prepared by the animal care team, commentary on El, and a birthday song sung together with visitors.
Date: May 28 (Thursday), 2026
Time: 11:00 AM (approximately 10 minutes)
Location: 2F Umino-Mori Stadium
Dolphin Growing Up Watching — Participation Bonus
During the "El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY" period, visitors who join the paid program "Dolphin Growing Up Watching" will receive a limited-edition El can badge. Participants stand on the stage at Umino-Mori Stadium and get an up-close look at how dolphins raise their young. The program focuses on El and includes explanations about dolphin ecology, training methods, and the aquarium's facilities.
Period: May 19 (Tuesday) to June 26 (Friday), 2026
Times: Weekdays — 10:30 AM / 12:00 PM / 2:30 PM; Weekends & holidays — 10:30 AM / 12:00 PM / 1:30 PM (approximately 20 minutes)
Fee: ¥500 per person (ages 4 and up)
Reception: 1F Program Reception
Location: 2F Umino-Mori Stadium
El HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY Commemorative Original Merchandise
To commemorate the event, original merchandise including postcards, A4 clear files, and stickers will go on sale.
Period: From May 19 (Tuesday), 2026
Location: 1F umimori shop
