Under ordinary circumstances, Puiji and Mauyak, both dominant females, aren’t great friends. That’s part of the natural beluga social hierarchy. But Puiji has accepted Mauyak into the group and allowed her to help care for the calf. That gives Puiji more opportunities for rest, and Mauyak appears to enjoy having a calf to care for again now that 2½-year-old Miki has declared his independence and is involved in the aquatic show.

With three adults to watch and mimic, the calf is learning everything from doing headstands to swimming into other habitats to playing with toys.

On New Year’s Day, the marine mammals trainers placed toys in the nursery pool – and the adult whales had a play session while the calf watched in fascination. While he didn’t approach the strange objects, he did mimic how the females opened and closed their mouths on the toys, and then he practiced on Mom’s pectoral fins.

He has also learned how to spit water. As Puiji’s offspring, this is a special milestone. Mom is renowned for the volume, velocity and long-distance accuracy of her water cannonades. We’ll be eager to watch – out of range – to see how well he learns from her.

The trainers will find out first – and possibly soon. The calf joins Mom and the others during their training sessions, and he has approached the trainers and allowed them to pet him. This illustrates the deep trust that Puiji has in the trainers, by her allowing them to touch the calf and by showing the calf that these people are okay.

We are very pleased with the calf’s progress. The first month of a beluga’s life is loaded with challenges, and so far he’s meeting them with great energy and enthusiasm.

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Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor