Shedd baby belugas make public debut

September 30, 2007 (WLS) -- Shedd Aquarium introduces its newest addition to the family, a male beluga whale calf, to the public for the first time on Saturday, Sept. 29.

. When the doors of the aquarium open at 9 a.m., guests will have an opportunity to see the beluga whale calf through the Oceanarium's large underwater viewing windows, as well as limited access to Secluded Bay's coastal walkway where guests can view the calf and companion whales from above. This is the first time the calf and adult beluga whales will be back on regular public display since the birth in mid-August.

The five-week-old, 160-pound bundle of joy continues to grow and reach new milestones, like bonding with mom, Mauyak, (MI-yak), mimicking adult behaviors and socially interacting with another beluga whale, Naya (NI-yah), that was recently introduced into the habitat. With a little help from mom and his new friend, the newborn will continue learning new behaviors and basic survival skills throughout his first year.

Including its latest newborn, Shedd has had four successful beluga calf births: Kayavak in 1999, Qannik in 2000, and Bella, who was born July 2006. Shedd is one of nine North American zoos and aquariums committed to public display and breeding of beluga whales.

BACKGROUND: 24-year-old Mauyak weighs roughly 1,200 pounds and is 11 feet in length. Naluark (nah-LOO-ark) is the father and weighs about 1,900 pounds. In 2000, Mauyak successfully gave birth to a male beluga whale named Qannik, who was recently moved to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash. Naya, a female adult beluga recently introduced as to the calf, is about 18 years old and was the first companion for the calf.

John G. Shedd Aquarium, Oceanarium; 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
www.sheddaquarium.org

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•