Something Special for World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day, June 8, is a time to celebrate the dazzling diversity of that vast body of salt water that covers 70 percent of our planet—and to recommit ourselves to protecting its beauty and bounty.

Happy Third Birthday, Nunavik!

At some point, you realize that the little guy, until August the youngest beluga, who you remember as being all gray and roly-poly and plush-toy-cuddly-looking, is lately so big that you can’t pick him out among the other belugas.

Nunavik, who turns 3 today, is undeniably a juvenile whale.

What the Calves Are Up To

If you’ve seen Shedd’s new aquatic show, A Holiday Fantasea, you know that Sagu (SAH-goo), our 6½-month-old Pacific white-sided dolphin calf (shown above on the left) gets into the act alongside his mom, Piquet. During the show, you’ll see him engaged in formal training. Lisa Takaki, senior director of marine mammals, says, “He seems to LOVE it and is very attentive—usually!”

Beluga Calf's Debut: Today the Press, Friday Her Public

Mauyak’s calf made her media debut today. About 5 feet long and weighing more than 200 pounds, the 8-week-old slate gray baby beluga drew oohs and aahs from press gathered at the underwater viewing windows of Secluded Bay as she cruised around the 400,000-gallon habitat with mom or confidently sailed off on her own.

A Whale of a Birth Announcement

The Shedd Aquarium family is delighted to announce the birth of beluga whale Mauyak’s calf. The little whale—estimated at 4½ feet and 150 pounds—arrived at 2 a.m. today after a smooth labor. Both mom and calf are doing well, and the calf appears to be strong.

As with any marine mammal birth, Shedd’s animal care and animal health staff members remain cautious during these early hours as they watch for the calf to pass a number of critical milestones. But the little beluga is in the best care possible—Mauyak is an experienced mom, and she has a support crew of trainers and veterinarians who are monitoring the pair around the clock.

Marine Mammal Moms-to-be

The stork is going to have to call out the reinforcements: Shedd is expecting not one but two marine mammal calves, a Pacific white-sided dolphin in spring and a beluga whale due sometime in the fall.

We’re excited about these pending additions to the Shedd animal family. Beluga mom Mauyak (MY-ak) and dolphin mom Piquet (pee-KEHT) are healthy, and so far their pregnancies are progressing normally. And from our regular prenatal monitoring of the moms and the fetuses, we are already adding to what is known about two species that are not often seen in aquariums and are challenging to study in the ocean.

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.

Nunavik Turns 1

Join us as we celebrate beluga calf Nunavik’s first birthday on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Although every day appears to be a party for this happy little whale, we’ll make his birthday special for him at 10:25 a.m., just before the first Holiday Fantasea show, with a fish-decorated cake and a serenade of “Happy Birthday” by aquarium guests. (The cake is totally symbolic: Pastries, of course, aren’t part of the beluga diet, and after master spitter Puiji douses the candle for her calf, the cake is pretty much a saltwater wash.)

August birthdays at Shedd

Cetaceans celebrating birthdays in August include four beluga whales and one Pacific white-sided dolphin. That’s one big splash party in Whale Harbor!

Beginning with the most august of Shedd’s whales, our big male, Naluark, turns 24. At least that’s our best estimate. He was 10½ feet long and about 1,000 pounds—within range for a 6-year-old—when he came to Shedd in 1992. To give you an idea of how belugas bulk up as they grow, he now carries more than a ton on a 13-foot frame. But he carries it well, with rippling horizontal "rails" of blubber along his length. Naluark, who frequently appears in Fantasea, is easily recognizable by his snowy white skin. He sired Bella, Miki and the newest calf, Nunavik.

Beluga birthdays in July

Time to send a shout-out to beluga whale Bella, who turns 4 on Saturday. This playful girl is so interactive that she just might send a high-pitched squeal back! She’s one of three Shedd whales whose birthdays we’re observing in July.