The calf also has more company in Secluded Bay. Last week, Bella and Miki were introduced into the nursery group. Bella, 3½, and the calf have the same parents, Puiji and Naluark, although they would not recognize each other as siblings. Maybe Naya does, however, because she is noticeably protective of the calf and chases Bella away from him. So does Puiji, whose sole concern is the welfare of her current calf. Beluga mother-calf bonds don’t last much beyond weaning, or about two years. Miki, a 2½-year-old male, does not get the same treatment. There are times when Bella does swim around the habitat unchallenged, and she has access to another pool. Puiji’s new calf changes the social hierarchy among the whales, including the status of the two formerly youngest animals. All of these interactions are being observed and logged by marine mammals staffers who continue to monitor the calf around the clock.

While Bella and Miki are with the calf, they will not be in the Fantasea show, but adult female Mauyak has joined the show group, which currently includes our adult male, Naluark, and 10½-year-old female Kayavak. We’ve also adjusted the social groupings in light of the upcoming breeding season, so Mauyak and Naluark, who makes a really big splash in the show, are together. Between shows, you might see these three in the Misty Passage pool. Watch for interesting interactions between Mauyak, identifiable by the long dark streaks on her sides, and Kayavak, who is light gray, with a white mark on her back. Kayavak, who has ranked lowest in the social order, is adept at staying out of Mauyak’s way. Mauyak, however, may be mellowing toward the subadult beluga. With the two older calves now at the bottom of the hierarchy, Kayavak’s social stature has improved.

Shedd’s beluga population is dynamic and always interesting. Visit often and take advantage of your front-row seat on the wide range of natural behaviors of these whales. This is life!

Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor

P.S. Want to get even closer and meet one of Shedd’s beluga whales in person? Sign up for a beluga encounter extraordinary experience.