Naya, a 35-year-old beluga whale at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, gave birth to a calf on Wednesday evening. The calf, whose sex and paternity are yet to be confirmed, took its first breath of air shortly after birth and is showing signs of good health. This is the first beluga whale calf born at the Shedd since 2020.
The animal care team at the aquarium is closely monitoring Naya and her calf, who are both healthy and bonding well. The calf is about 5 feet long and weighs 105 pounds. Caretakers will observe the pair around the clock over the next few months, looking for important behaviors such as swimming together, regular nursing, and fast weight gain.
Beluga whale births are rare in the wild, and the observation of Naya and her calf will provide important insights for research on the species. The calf’s development can indicate the effects of pollution, noise, and human activity on the beluga population.
The Secluded Bay habitat at the Shedd Aquarium will be closed to the public while the calf is under observation, with no announced date for when guests can see the newborn. The birth of the calf is seen as valuable for scientists and conservationists, providing important information for the study and protection of the species.
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Photo credit abc7chicago.com