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SEAWORLD SAN ANTONIO BELUGA WHALE GIVES BIRTH
Luna, a 10-year-old, 1,400-pound beluga whale, gave birth to a female calf at 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23 in the main pool of SeaWorld San Antonio’s Beluga Stadium. The calf arrived after a short period of labor, weighs approximately 110 pounds and is 4 feet, 10 inches long.
“The first days and even weeks in the life of a cetacean (dolphin or whale) are critical, so we are cautiously optimistic about this new addition to the SeaWorld family” said Chris Bellows, SeaWorld San Antonio’s vice president of zoological operations.
The female calf is the first third-generation beluga whale born at SeaWorld San Antonio. It’s the tenth beluga whale born at the park since it opened in 1988.
In the wild, first-year mortality rates among beluga whales run as high as 50 percent, according to studies by Canadian researchers in British Columbia.
“We will be monitoring nursing, respirations and other vital indicators which, thus far, have been positive,” Bellows said. “Round-the-clock monitoring enables us to record data that will better help us understand growth and maturation in beluga whales.”
The regularly scheduled “Azul” shows at Beluga Stadium will be cancelled temporarily to give mother and baby a chance to bond. SeaWorld guests can observe Luna and her calf at Beluga Stadium throughout the day, and staff will be on hand to answer guest questions.
For SeaWorld San Antonio general information, visit www.seaworld.com or call (800) 700-7786.
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