Beluga whale at Georgia Aquarium to be a mom

There’s a good chance visitors to Georgia Aquarium will see a beluga baby in late spring. Maris, a 17-year-old beluga, is pregnant with her first calf, fathered by her partner Beethoven.

First-time pregnancies in cetaceans are commonly unsuccessful both in their natural habitat and captivity, but the aquarium staff is optimistic for a successful birth.

Maris, who became pregnant naturally, has resided at Georgia Aquarium since its 2005 opening and is one of four on site and 35 in human care in the U.S.