Baby Beluga Whale Calf Born At Shedd Aquarium

Human Assistance During Whale Calf Birth A First For Shedd

CHICAGO ( 2 CBS) ― A baby beluga whale calf was born on Sunday, Dec. 20th at the Shedd Aquarium, according to a release.

One of the aquarium’s beluga whales, Naya, successfully gave birth to a calf at 2:25 p.m. Sunday, with assistance from Shedd’s animal health and animal care experts.

This is the first time a beluga whale calf has been successfully birthed with human assistance at Shedd, and only the fourth known in the zoo and aquarium community, the release said.

“This assisted birth put all of our research, knowledge and experience of beluga births to the test, and we are pleased at the successful outcome. Without our physical intervention, this calf might not be with us today,” said Ken Ramirez, senior vice president of animal collections and training.

A baby Beluga whale calf was born on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009 at the Shedd Aquarium. Shedd Aquarium

This is the second successful beluga birth within a week at Shedd, as Puiji gave birth to a male calf last Monday. Shedd experts have been closely monitoring both Naya and the new calf, along with Puiji and her calf.

The newborn calf is male, 5 feet, 6 inches in length, and weighs 152 pounds.

The calf was separated briefly from Naya for observations, but has been reunited with its mother Monday morning, according to Ramirez.

There are still several milestones the calf must reach in its first days and months, including bonding with the mother and nursing, the release said.

“Because of the unique nature of the birth and the milestones ahead, we continue to remain cautiously optimistic as the next few days are extremely critical in the calf’s life,” said Ramirez. “Now that mom and calf are together again, we are watching closely for bonding and nursing to take place. We are doing everything possible to care for both calf and mom.”

Dr. Caryn Poll, DVM, led the animal health team’s efforts in assisting with the birth.

“The rarity of an assisted beluga birth being successful makes this birth that much more special to all of us and to the zoo and aquarium community,” said Caryn Poll, DVM, Section Chief, Medicine at Shedd Aquarium. “We aren’t out of the woods yet, but we are pleased to report that calf and mom appear to be doing well. We will continue to provide 24-hour care for several more months.”

Naya and the newborn calf, along with Puiji and her calf, are currently off exhibit where they will continue to receive the very best care.

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