Maris, one of three beluga whales at the Georgia Aquarium, is expecting a baby.
Aquarium officials announced Tuesday that Maris was in her “second trimester” and was definitely showing.
The father is Beethoven, the aquarium’s older male, on breeding loan from SeaWorld.
Assuming she has a successful pregnancy, it would be the second child for the 20-year-old female. Maris carried a baby to term in 2012, but the calf, born with several health problems, survived for only five days.
The gestation period for belugas is 14-15 months, and Maris is due in late April or early May. Dr. Gregory Bossart, senior vice president and chief veterinary officer at the Georgia Aquarium, said Maris demonstrated great mothering skills back in 2012, and he was guardedly optimistic that she would do well this time.
Facilities that exhibit belugas frequently exchange animals to maximize the chances of a successful breeding program. That policy has kept Beethoven busy. He has been moved to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, where he will be expected to perform similar duties.
It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.
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