Mauyak is a loving mother who enjoys her life in Shedd Aquarium’s care.
The beluga whale’s carers recently discovered some exciting news…
The mum is pregnant with an adorable baby calf.
During a routine doctor’s appointment, the aquarium’s veterinarians were able to capture footage of the developing baby.
In a rare ultrasound, the little one can be seen actively twisting back and forth in his mum’s womb.
Waving his flipper playfully, the young calf appears to be in full health and have lots of energy.
He will be joining a family of three siblings as well when he arrives next summer.
The normal gestation period for belugas is between 14 and 16 months.
“Mauyak is an experienced, attentive mom, and Shedd’s veterinarians and marine mammal trainers are cautiously optimistic that all will go well for the 37-year-old whale and her new calf,” said the aquarium.
If the precious calf is anything like his mum, he will grow into a big and beautiful whale.
Mauyak is a staggering 11 feet in length and her unique grey streaks on her side have been expanding with her growing baby bump.
But the mum has not let her pregnancy slow down her work life at all. She loves starring in daily aquatic presentations, flipping her tail for eager audiences.
The aquarium said they will allow the mum to participate for as long as she wants to, and they will continue to monitor her condition regularly.
Shedd is dedicated to the wellbeing and preservation of aquatic wildlife and they’ve a passion for Beluga species in particular.
Their beluga experts were part of the first-ever successful rescue and rehabilitation of a weeks-old calf just last year, so Mauyak and her baby could not be in better care.
We wish the expecting mum all the best in her next motherhood experience.
