CHICAGO – Shedd Aquarium welcomed a new resident Wednesday evening: a baby beluga whale born to 35-year-old mother, Naya!
Earlier in the day, the aquarium said its animal care team realized Naya was going into labor and closed the Secluded Bay habitat to visitors. Naya delivered her calf shortly after 6 p.m. and animal care personnel saw the calf take its first breath of air at the water’s surface, which is a crucial first step for belugas.
The calf is estimated to be about five feet long and nearly 105 pounds. The sex of the calf will be confirmed later, along with paternity.
The calf is now the youngest beluga at Shedd – replacing Atlas who was born in 2020 – according to officials.
Veterinary and care teams stayed with Naya and her calf throughout the evening and overnight to look after them, noticing Naya gently guiding her calf around the habitat and supporting it as it swam and surfaced for air.
“While it’s still very early, we are encouraged by how strong and spirited this calf seems to be,” said Charles Jacobsma, director of animal behavior and training at Shedd Aquarium. “Over the next several weeks, our animal care team will be observing Naya and the calf, collecting data and doing everything they can to make sure they both have all the support they need.”
Officials said the first few months of a baby beluga’s life are vital and caretakers will be keeping watch around the clock, making sure Naya and her calf reach several important milestones such as bonding, swimming together (slipstreaming), regular nursing and rapid weight gain for the calf, supported by Naya’s fat-rich milk.
The rapid growth allows beluga calves to maintain energy needed to swim with their mother and withstand cold temperatures of polar marine water.
“The more we understand species like beluga whales, the better positioned we are to contribute to safeguarding them for generations to come,” said Andrew Pulver, vice president of animal care at Shedd Aquarium. “Every birth at Shedd Aquarium is not only a moment to celebrate – it’s a significant stride toward our vision of a world thriving with aquatic life.”
To allow time and space for these vital milestones and observations, Shedd’s Secluded Bay habitat will remain temporarily closed. An update on when the public can come see the calf will be shared in the near future.