Beluga pregnancy update
A newly renovated Oceanarium isn’t all that Shedd’s marine mammal trainers have been excited about lately; several months ago, blood tests and ultrasound exams – routine veterinary procedures performed on all our marine mammals – revealed that two beluga whales are pregnant!
Kelly Schaaf, a senior trainer in the marine mammals department, is one of the staff members caring for the expectant females. “In a lot of ways,” Kelly said, “the routine stays the same. We still do training sessions and let them interact with other whales.” The frequency of routine examinations has increased, however, as staff members try to determine how far along each pregnancy is (belugas gestate between 14 and 16 months!) and continue to monitor the health of the mothers. When physical cues indicate that labor is near for each mom, she will be moved to a separate habitat, and veterinarians will watch and wait. Wait is the key word. Kelly notes, “The actual birthing process can take several hours.”
Kelly and the rest of the marine mammal staffers are excited because the birth of healthy calves would be not only be great for Shedd but “also would be good for the zoo and aquarium community.” Shedd is a member of the North American beluga breeding cooperative, a group that helps ensure healthy beluga populations in zoos and aquariums.
Visit Shedd soon and say hello to our pregnant whales; both are expected to give birth before November. While you’re here, thank Kelly and the other staff members who do a fantastic job caring for more than 32,000 animals, pregnant or not.
Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor
Its really a nice step to protect the mammals and the other marine animals because if we don't care the animals so the community will be destroy soon the reason is they also play an important role for the development and the continuity of the atmosphere.
i pay the best regard who done this step...
Posted by: tubal reversal | October 07, 2009 at 03:39 AM
do you still offer swim with the belugas? please let me know
thank you
Posted by: vickie barker | October 21, 2009 at 08:59 PM
Vickie, you can learn more about beluga encounters at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/premium_experiences.html.
Thanks for your interest in Shedd.
Posted by: Jay Geneske, web editor | October 22, 2009 at 11:11 AM
It's almost November... are we going to have 'Weenie Beluga Babies??? an update PLEASE? See what a romantic flight on FedEx can do?!?!? Belugas in the mile high club!
Posted by: Steve R | October 30, 2009 at 01:25 PM
I am sooo happy with the beluga pregnancies, but it is Halloween, and no beluga babies!!
By the way, I hope all seven of your beluga whales: Naluark, Kayavak, Mauyak, Miki, Bella, and especially Puiji and Naya are doing well. Please keep up the EXCELLENT care that you give the belugas as well as your other animals every day!!
Posted by: jtbad | October 31, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Today is NOvember 1st, NO Baby Belugas!! Please, if they have the birth, post a video of it right away, and, a post showing that Puiji and Naya have BOTH given birth.
Posted by: joe | November 01, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Beluga whales are my favorite animal. Whenever I go to Shedd, I always go to four exhibits. I spend a while at Carribean Reef, then
Wild Reef, then Waters of the World, but I spend HOURS in the Oceanarium every time I visit. I'm doing Beluga Encounter in March, and, I'm excited that I'll get to see the named calves!! Congrats to Puiji, Naya, Naluark, and Bella for being a big sister!!
And, I need some info. Do you plan to send Kayavak away?? And when will you send Bella and Miki away?? And, what institution did you send Qannick to a few years ago??
Posted by: joe | November 02, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Is the father Inuk from Mystic or Naluark, the regular father, from Shedd?? Congrats to Naya on having her first calf!! And, congrats to Bella for being a big-sister-to-be!!
Posted by: Joe D. | November 04, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Thanks for your question, Joe. You can find your answer and more at http://interactive.sheddaquarium.org/2009/08/two-pregnant-beluga-whales-at-shedd.html
Posted by: Jay Geneske, web editor | November 04, 2009 at 02:44 PM
I was there on Monday, 2nd & experienced Fantasea.I will remember the feeling I had the rest of my life. It was more than "warm and fuzzy". It was awesome. How is it possible to experience being in the water with them? I just want to touch them. Are there special qualifications needed to do that?
Posted by: Cami Shultz | November 07, 2009 at 01:01 AM
I visited Shedd's Aquarium on Nov. 10,2009. What a wonderful experience!! I fell in love with the Buluga Whales...the pregnant females were so awesome. I have some of the best pictures and videos of the wonderful gentle giants. I am watching daily to see when the babies arrive. A part of me stayed behind with the future mommies. I can't wait to hear of the new arrivals to such a wonderful place!! Five stars for Shedd's aquarium and staff!!!! Good luck to the mommies to be!
Posted by: Vickie Wolf | November 12, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Are you going to have a naming contest for the new calves?
Posted by: Barbara Helm | November 16, 2009 at 12:17 AM