Shedd beluga whales pregnant
Shedd is pleased to announce that two of our female beluga whales are pregnant. Twenty-three-year-old Puiji, and 20-year-old Naya are expected to give birth this fall. Both whales are healthy and their pregnancies are progressing normally. While we remain cautiously optimistic, we are equally thrilled. Our animal care and health experts continue to provide the very best 24-hour care to both beluga moms.
Puiji, which means “those who show their noses” in Inuit, weighs about 1,500 pounds and is approximately 11 feet in length. Naya, which means “little sister of a male” in Inuit, is nearly 1,800 pounds and is approximately 10 ½ feet in length. Beluga experts estimate that the gestation period for beluga whales is between 14-16 months. Much of the vital knowledge known about beluga gestation and births is due to Shedd’s successful beluga whale breeding program.
Shedd is one of six North American aquariums and zoos committed to public display and breeding of beluga whales. Guests will continue to see Puiji, Naya and the other beluga whales participating in daily programs. The best thing for both whales is to keep their activity levels consistent. Training sessions provide physical and mental stimulation for the belugas and give our animal care and animal health staff regular opportunities to observe and interact with both whales. However, the two pregnant whales will not be participating in the new marine mammal show or the beluga encounter program.
Guests can see Puiji and Naya in the reimagined Oceanarium. Stay tuned for future updates!
Posted by Ken Ramirez, animal collections and training
Congratulations to Naya and Puji. I wish them good luck and wishes for healthy calves. Big Congrats to Bella for becoming a big sister-to-be.
~Jenna~
Posted by: Jenna | August 04, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Any chance the father is the male from Mystic or through AI to help the gene pool?
Posted by: RJ | August 04, 2009 at 06:24 PM
Naluark, who fathered Shedd’s most recent calves, Bella and Miki, is also the father of the two calves expected in the fall.
Posted by: Jay Geneske, web editor | August 05, 2009 at 09:16 AM
congratulations to Naya and Puiji, and all the Shedd Family
Posted by: angie | August 05, 2009 at 10:10 PM
My sister and I are so hapy about the babies to come.
Keep up the good work !
Sherri Rae
Posted by: sherri rae | August 06, 2009 at 02:05 PM
We are so Happy for new babies. We loved the new exhibits this year and hope to see babies next summer.
Hayden and Ruth
Posted by: Ruth Miehlke | August 13, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Can't wait to see the new babies. Going to see the moms to be later today.
Posted by: alyssa | August 14, 2009 at 02:30 AM
I remember Naya was always the "Auntie" but now it's Muayak the "Auntie"!! Congradulations to the Trainers at Shedd, plus Naluark, Puiji, and Naya.
Posted by: chicago joe | August 22, 2009 at 06:30 AM
Yay! I love all of the Belugas at Shedd! I can't wait to find out what you name them! Maybe you can hold an online poll for people to help choose the babies names.
Congrats to Puigi and Naya!
Posted by: Megan | August 22, 2009 at 12:55 PM