The beluga whale calf born at Georgia Aquarium on Friday has died.
The female baby, the first for 17-year-old mother Maris, had been in critical condition since birth.
William Hurley, senior vice president and chief zoological officer at the aquarium, said while the calf was swimming Wednesday morning, “she just stopped and stalled. We immediately brought her to the surface and to the vets. We really have no idea what happened. It was so sudden.”
Instantly after her arrival Friday night, the aquarium staff intervened because the calf was unable to swim alongside her mother.
Since then, animal caregivers at the aquarium had been with the calf around the clock, nursing her with formula and mother's milk.
A necropsy was performed Wednesday afternoon at the aquarium with staff veterinarians and specialists from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Results could take weeks to months, but, Hurley said, a cause of death might never be known.
First-time pregnancies for belugas are often unsuccessful, both in nature and in zoological settings, with a survival rate in the teens. The baby beluga was 82 pounds when born, about 40 pounds below average.
“This calf would not have made it from the moment Maris delivered if this staff had not prepared and executed our plan,” Hurley said.
The calf was the first third-generation beluga to be born in human care in a North American zoological institution as well as the first born at Georgia Aquarium.
The beluga exhibit has been temporarily closed since the calf’s birth. Hurley expects it will reopen in the next few days.
“That little girl fought hard," Hurley said, his voice choked with emotion. "Maris stood up to her end of the bargain, and we executed the plan we made. We will not give up.”
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