Like an expectant mother, Maris is feeling a bit bloated.
The 17-year-old beluga whale is estimated to give birth to her first calf in the next few weeks, and on a recent weekday, the nearly 1,500-pound gentle giant spiraled around her tank, seemingly looking for a comfortable position.
While the Georgia Aquarium is in extreme planning mode for the impending birth of the first beluga to be born at the facility, the medical staff is also realistic about the fact that the survival rate for babies of first-time mothers is an extremely low percentage, usually in the teens.
“It’s exciting, but it comes with guarded optimism,” said Billy Hurley, chief animal officer at the aquarium. “For her, there’s the question of, will my body do what it’s supposed to do. Then it’s, will Maris be kind to the calf, will it take its first breath? The intervention by us as humans is only done if there is no other option.”
All indications, such as fetal heart rate and amniotic fluid levels taken during several weekly ultrasounds indicate that the calf is faring well.
The planning for the baby’s arrival began months ago. Some additions have been small, such as a curtain rod installed along the ceiling on the public side of the beluga exhibit, so if Maris goes into labor while on display, it can be closed off for privacy.
Others have required more participation from staff, such as divers being present in the pool at random times so that Maris isn’t fazed by people being around and the continued presence of “mood lighting” in case the birth takes place at night, when the aquarium lights are usually off.
“Our goal is to make sure that in her mind, nothing is different,” Hurley said.
As reported in November, Maris became pregnant naturally with partner Beethoven and has endured the 14-16 month gestation period like a champ.
Hurley points to Maris’ comfortable living environment as a factor for the ease of her pregnancy.
“It speaks to the type of lifestyle we provide here,” he said.
If the calf survives, it will be the 19th successfully born in the U.S. in human care. The Georgia Aquarium houses four belugas – Grayson and Qinu join the expectant parents – and is among six aquariums in the country to showcase the aquatic animals.
The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago also has a pregnant beluga whale.
“The miracle of birth doesn’t come without challenges,” Hurley said. “But even if this particular birth results in failure, it’s so important for Maris to have gone through this process.”
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