Meet Shedd's new baby beluga
At 6:36 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 14, we welcomed Puiji’s calf into the Shedd family. Mom and calf are doing well.
When Puiji’s behavior changed Sunday, Ken Ramirez, Shedd’s senior vice president of animal collections and training decided to spend the night at the aquarium, joining marine mammals staffers already observing Puiji in Secluded Bay. Around 11:30 p.m., the 23-year-old whale went into labor, at intervals crunching her nearly 11-foot frame to move the process along.
About 4:30 a.m., the calf’s head appeared. Beluga calves almost always enter the world tail first, an adaptation for underwater birth. Divers were ready in case of complications. But with a big push by Puiji, the calf popped out and went to the surface for its first breath. Milestone no. 1 accomplished. Then he began to swim and bond with Mom – milestone no. 2. Early Tuesday morning, he passed the real cliff-hanger milestone and began to nurse. Puiji is an attentive mom, constantly at his side to help him negotiate this new world.
The calf is 5 feet 4 inches long and weighs 162 pounds. To give the little whale the best chance for success, Secluded Bay has been made really secluded, with privacy panels around the pool on the walkway and at the Polar Play Zone underwater viewing windows. But we’ll bring you photos and videos, along with regular updates.
And we’re still waiting for beluga Naya to give birth. So check in early and often.
Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor
Congratulations! When can the public see the calf?
Posted by: Alyssa | December 15, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Yay! :)
Posted by: Nick Hawkins | December 15, 2009 at 11:30 AM
He is soooo cute and looks great! Good job Puiji and staff!!
Posted by: Dawn | December 15, 2009 at 11:33 AM
A beautiful baby. Congrats!
Posted by: andrew | December 15, 2009 at 11:34 AM
At Shedd Aquarium, animal care is our top priority and right now the best thing we can do for mom and calf is to give them time to bond. Please continue to check the website for updates on when you can visit our new baby beluga in the future. Thank you for your enthusiasm!
Posted by: Caroline Monestero, web editor | December 15, 2009 at 11:36 AM
How great that you caught the birth, we saw a 10 day old
calf in Toronto Aquarium and
they bragged about how special it was to see a birth.
Thank you for sharing.
Good luck with new baby.
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne | December 15, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Thank you so much for sending this to us! We were thrilled to see Puji's baby come into the world! I am a Chicago native and was excited to bring my husband and foster sons to the Aquarium when we were there this past summer. It is wonderful to be able to stay connected like this!
Sincerely,
Peggy G. Des Moines, IA
Posted by: Peggy George | December 15, 2009 at 11:42 AM
What a truly amazing event to share with us!
Posted by: Mary | December 15, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Dear Puiji,
Congratulations on your new baby! I heard you did natural childbirth (ouch!) and the little fellow is nursing just fine. Just remember to enjoy each and every moment... motherhood is the most scary, exhilarating, tiring and loving job in the world, and I know you'll do great!
Posted by: Dreiske Arnold | December 15, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Congratulations on your new baby calf. I look forward to visiting in late December. Many thanks for this fabulous video.
Nancy Freeman
UMass Dartmouth
Posted by: Nancy Freeman | December 15, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Wow!! How special moment you guys share with us!! Tks so much... Good job!!! What a wonderific video!!
Posted by: Jackie | December 15, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Thanks for sharing this really cool video with all of us! It was amazing to watch! Congrats!
Posted by: Kim Kleckner | December 15, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Congratulations on your new baby!!! What a joy to have especially at this time of year.
Merry Christmas too!
McMahan girls
Posted by: BARB MCMAHAN | December 15, 2009 at 12:43 PM
A home waterbirth! Now, that's my kind of birth! :) Congratulations to mother and baby, and to the aquarium staff. I hope the new baby continues to do well!
Posted by: Claire | December 15, 2009 at 01:46 PM
awesome, and mele kalikimaka, hauoli maka hiki ho ho hou, festival of lights, a new baby is born, joy to our world a week before summer solitice, swim on, in all waves, AAAlllooohhhaaa
Posted by: lopaka | December 15, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Great job Puiji! I can't wait to see the beautiful baby beluga. How amazing the creation of life can be.
Posted by: carlepha Whigham | December 15, 2009 at 02:20 PM
I showed the video to my four year old. He yelled excited: "mama, baby whale for me for Christmas...:) Kudos to Puiji and dedicated staff...I can't wait until my other two kids come from school so I can show them video...and of course visit in person shortly..Thank You for sharing with us this great event.. Anna from Romeoville, Il
Posted by: Anna molek | December 15, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Oh,the baby's so cute!I love her smile,it's so cute!I think you should name the baby Alisian (a-li-son) if it's a girl, or skittles if it's a boy.
Posted by: Alisian,age 8 | December 15, 2009 at 02:39 PM
Just Beautiful!
Posted by: Kristin Hewko | December 15, 2009 at 02:46 PM
Congratulations, and my best to Puiji! Thanks so much for sharing this amazing video with the world. That baby boy is adorable!
Posted by: Mojopo | December 15, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Thank you for sharing. We've been going to the Shedd & seen the mother as she's been growing. Very special!
Posted by: Katherine Ponce de leon | December 15, 2009 at 03:05 PM
what a cute little baby!!!
Posted by: animal luver | December 15, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Great news! My wife and I met Puiji last Friday (Beluga Encounter), and she was very gracious and put up with us touching her tongue! Congratulations!
Posted by: edoxtator | December 15, 2009 at 03:52 PM
What an exciting event!
Posted by: dORA | December 15, 2009 at 04:24 PM
Truely a great video & a awe inspiring event.What a beautiful little whale.Hope he gets thru the rough first few day's.Being a scuba diver I have become more appreciative of the beaty in nature,water or on land.
greg@ihpil
Posted by: greg | December 15, 2009 at 05:17 PM