On Friday, May 18, Maris, one of Georgia Aquarium's resident beluga whales, successfully gave birth to her first calf. The female calf weighs only 82 pounds, which is well below normal, and aquarium experts have listed her in critical condition and are caring for her around the clock.
First pregnancies in beluga whales are often unsuccessful in the wild and in captivity. Shortly after birth, the calf took its first breath with the assistance of two divers, and then attempted to swim with its mother.
The calf is the first beluga born at Georgia Aquarium. Her parents are 17-year-old Maris and 19-year-old Beethoven. This birth is significant as it's the first calf to be born from parents who were both born in captivity. Maris was born at the New York Aquarium in 1994, and the father, Beethoven, was born at SeaWorld San Antonio in 1992.
Beluga Whale Calf Born at Georgia Aquarium
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