Your favorite beluga whale
The opening of the reimagined Oceanarium also marked the return of the belugas. The calves – now nearly 2 and 3 – have grown a lot since last summer. And with seven whales swirling by the windows in Polar Play Zone and the Oceanarium, it might be hard to tell them apart or spot your favorite.
Here’s a key to their i.d.:
Super long – 13 feet – and snow white: Naluark, our adult male
Second heftiest, with “love handles,” and off-white: Naya, an adult female
Very prominent melon, or forehead, long and grayest of the adults: female Puiji
Off-white with dark streaks on her side: Mauyak
Very chubby small gray whale at Mauyak’s side: Miki, our male calf and youngest beluga
The other small gray beluga, with a prominent melon: Bella, Puiji’s calf
Slim, pale gray whale with large eyes and faint white “handprint” on back: Kayavak, a subadult female
Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor
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