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
Thanks for letting us see the birth. We will come back another time to see the baby.
Posted by: sophia | December 15, 2009 at 05:35 PM
Fantastic video! Congrats!
Posted by: Sarahm | December 15, 2009 at 05:36 PM
YAHOO! Just in time for Christmas!
What will Santa bring Puiji's Beluga Baby Boy?
When can we start picking out names? Thanks to the staff for your great care and knowledge.
Thanks to all the membership for supporting such a magnificent place: Our Shedd Aquarium.
:>)
Audrey Fischer
Trainer-for-a-day-er and
Beluga encounter-er
Posted by: Audrey Fischer | December 15, 2009 at 05:48 PM
That is so cool now shedd has 12 whales. What a cute little munchkin or should I saw big.
Posted by: vincent | December 15, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Thanks for sharing Shedd. This can't help but put a big smile on your face. I look forward to seeing them in the months and years to come. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: bob | December 15, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Very, very cool. So glad to hear mom and baby are doing well. Congrats, from Cleveland, the home of rock and roll, this rocks.
Posted by: rocknroller | December 15, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Awesome! So exciting to see the birth video. We're eally glad you shared. Such a memorable experience! Can't wait to return to the aquarium.
Posted by: Shon | December 15, 2009 at 07:49 PM
Congrats on this newest arrival! Baby Belugas are so very special ~
Posted by: Allison | December 15, 2009 at 08:13 PM
What a delight! Are mom and baby available to view at the Shedd?
Posted by: Diana | December 15, 2009 at 08:20 PM
We love the video. The baby beluga is awesome and SO cute!
Posted by: Sepich family | December 15, 2009 at 08:38 PM
Congratulations Puji!
Nothing better than boys!
Posted by: Cathleen Cermak | December 15, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Congrats to the Mother! Sad to be born into a small tank and never see the ocean.
Posted by: Julie | December 15, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Congratulations to you all from Dr. Bill.
Posted by: Bill van bonn | December 16, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Wow, it was a really long expected birth!! But, the calf set a record for Shedd, the first head-first beluga birth, at least I think~
Posted by: Joe D. | December 16, 2009 at 07:09 AM
Congrats to the Shedd for creating an environment where a wonderful thing like this can happen.
Posted by: Chicagofish | December 16, 2009 at 07:31 AM
yea!!! We cant wait to come see the baby!!
Posted by: Sarah | December 16, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful video for the world to see, great job,staff of shead Aquarium.
Posted by: brenda webber | December 16, 2009 at 12:37 PM
It almost looked when baby took his second breathe in the video that Momma Puiji kissed him?! How wonderful an event.
Posted by: cat | December 16, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Many CONGRATULATIONS to Puigi & to the Shedd Staff!!! How awe inspiring was this!!~~Thank you so very much for sharing this Special Moment with the world. I spent loads of time with my Grandson visiting the Belugas recently. I wioll be sending this video to all my Kids!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!
Diane G Naperville
Posted by: Diane Gibbons | December 16, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Best wishes to mom and baby. We were just at the Aquarium in November so this has special meaning. Enjoyed the show and the care being taken to share and protect these great animals.
Posted by: Ursula | December 17, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Are the other whales on display, or is the whole exhibit closed?
Posted by: Alex | December 18, 2009 at 10:43 PM
It is so cool to have a new life form born especilaly at shedd.
Posted by: Peter Vik | December 19, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Worth the wait! Cheers go up from Twinsburg, Ohio!
Posted by: CHARLOTTE | December 19, 2009 at 07:37 PM
He is too cute for words!!!
Hope all is well and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Posted by: Stephen ruddock, Leicestershire, UK | December 20, 2009 at 06:27 AM
Congratulations on your home birth, Puiji! Go natural childbirth!
Posted by: marianne | December 20, 2009 at 09:07 PM