Shedd saddened by loss of beluga whale
The Shedd Aquarium family is mourning the loss of Puiji, one of the original animals in our beluga group. The 25-year-old whale died Wednesday evening. Puiji had been part of Shedd’s animal collection since 1989 and was here when the Oceanarium opened.
Ken Ramirez, executive vice president of animal care and training, said that his staff and the animal health team had been monitoring Puiji for several months because of a health issue that they were treating.
Wednesday, a change in the beluga’s behaviors signaled a rapid decline in her health, and despite nonstop emergency care, she experienced an arresting seizure. The veterinarians worked for 45 minutes to resuscitate Puiji, to no avail.
Preliminary findings of a necropsy performed at Shedd found changes in several of the whale’s organs that had not been evident in repeated health assessments. Additional tests will be conducted to see if the findings are related to advanced age or other factors. As is often the case, however, a specific cause of death may never fully be determined.
Biologists don’t know how long belugas live in the wild. In aquariums and zoos, they can live to be 25 to 30 years old although, as with people, longevity varies with individuals.
Puiji will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.
Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor
I am so sorry for your loss she was a valuable and wonderful ambassador to the cetacean community, my heart goes out to both staff and the animals at shedd.
Posted by: Rose | October 27, 2011 at 03:54 PM
My heart goes out to the entire Shedd staff. Puiji was an amazing and beautiful beluga whale. She was the first whale I learned to identify when I started volunteering, and she stole my heart. I miss her already.
Posted by: Roxanne | October 27, 2011 at 05:56 PM
I had my Beluga Encounter with Puiji in March 2010, and I will never forget when she spit at me so hard I flew back a meter and a half. But this, this, I don't know how to respond except to cry.
Posted by: Joe from Chicago | October 27, 2011 at 07:58 PM
Animal collection? Sounds like a plant. Highly evolved beings and the way they are caught is horrible! Keep them in the ocean and people can get boats to look. We learn about dinosours and know them yet to put them through hell is wrong!
Posted by: vicki renee | October 27, 2011 at 08:18 PM
I am so sorry to hear the news of Puiji. We are very fond of the Belugas at the Shedd. Our hearts go out to the entire staff at the Shedd and especially those who were in direct care of Puiji. Thank you for the wonderful work you do.
Posted by: Cheryl | October 27, 2011 at 08:43 PM
vicki renee...you need to get a life....we are all natures beings...including you, you are part of the human collection....sometimes, they are not "caught", they are "saved" for whatever reason. I'm very thankful there are people willing to do this work for the continuation of a species..you may not be as fortunate.
Posted by: Cheryl | October 27, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Puiji will be missed. Thank goodness that there is a wonderful staff that was with her until the end. My heart goes out to all of you.
Marjorie
Posted by: Marjorie | October 27, 2011 at 10:03 PM
I'm just pointing this out, but how is Naya responding? And Nunavik? Nevertheless, I cried when I first heard this, and I'm still crying now. Shedd is far and away the best institution for Beluga whales, and they haven't had an adult death since 1999 when Immiayuk (Kayavak's mother, I'm sure we've all heard that tragic story) died. Give Naya and Nunavik comfort in knowing that Puiji is in a better place. I wish there was some way I could help, but sadly I'm a minor and thus I'm very restricted. Sad nonetheless. And Vicki Renee, you should be ashamed of yourself. I was in the water with the trainers and their whales, and I have never met any people more caring about an animal. Tisk, tisk.
Posted by: Joe from Chicago | October 28, 2011 at 06:51 AM
We will always Remember Puiji best dolphin I have ever seen in my life. We are sorry for your loss Puiji was a legacy.
Posted by: bloomingdale student | October 28, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Haters gonna hate Vicki Renee but most people on this planet would feel extremely sad for the shed and hope that the situation can somehow get better soon
Posted by: Student Roselle | October 28, 2011 at 09:55 AM
I feel really sorry for this whale.
Posted by: StudentBloomingdale | October 28, 2011 at 09:57 AM
I am sorry for your loss at the Shedd Aquarium. Puiji will be missed.
Posted by: bloomingdale student | October 28, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Hi, Joe. While we can't confirm an actual human emotion like grieving, the other whales are aware that Puiji is not with them. They are, however, eating and interacting with their trainers as normal. Due to her illness, Puiji had been separated from the other whales for the last week.
Thank you to all our fans for your support—it means so much to us.
Posted by: Shedd Aquarium | October 28, 2011 at 09:58 AM
this is a very sad thing that one of the whales died, but I hope everyone will feel better for the loss they had.This is a probably a very sad thing to get through!I hope everyone knows that Puiji is one fantastic animal and we will not forget him!
Posted by: bloomingdale student | October 28, 2011 at 09:59 AM
I'm sorry for your loss of Puiji, I've never seen it though
Posted by: Another Bloomingdale student | October 28, 2011 at 10:04 AM
I feel bad that Puiji died. He will be missed.
Posted by: westfield student | October 28, 2011 at 10:06 AM
I feel bad for Puiji. She was only 25 years old and had kids. Her infection may not have contributed to her death it showed changes in her spleen, lymph nodes and other organs not evident in previous medical exams. I sad for her boo hoo.
Posted by: bloomingdale student boo hoo | October 28, 2011 at 10:09 AM
i loved puiji like a sister
Posted by: bloomingdale student | October 28, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Thank you for clarifying that. I must say, the amount of work you put into educating the public and caring for these animals the best you can is absolutely stupendous. I am planning on visiting the Shedd this Sunday, and will the beluga exhibit be open then?
Posted by: Joe from Chicago | October 28, 2011 at 03:07 PM
Thank you, Joe.
The Abbott Oceanarium will be open on Sunday when you visit.
Posted by: Shedd Aquarium | October 28, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Dear staff members,
I am very saddened by the loss of our beloved Puigi. I say our because for many years while I worked at the Shedd Aquaruim,I took pride to take care and have hours of fun enjoying her. She made me laugh. I remember the look of happiness on guests faces as they watch her swim around with what seemed to be a smile on face. I also want to say thanks for all you do for God's animals. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely
Sara Fuentes
Posted by: Sara garza fuentes | October 28, 2011 at 03:51 PM
I've made a memory video for Puiji, and I'd like to email it to you. At what address can I reach you? Thanks for your care of God's creatures.
Posted by: Joe from Chicago | October 28, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Hi Joe- you can reach us at webeditor@sheddaquarium.org
Posted by: Shedd aquarium | October 28, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Hi- I just had a question. I went to Shedd Aquarium for a school trip once in 2006. I remember seeing a beluga whale that was pregnant. Was this the whale that was pregnant? If so, I am so sorry for your lost. I remember this whale I saw had such a funny personality!
Posted by: Jackie Smith | October 28, 2011 at 06:55 PM
Hi Jackie- yes, Puiji's female calf, Bella, was born on July 17, 2006.
Posted by: shedd aquarium | October 28, 2011 at 07:13 PM