Incredible photos show beluga whale giving birth to calf in an aquarium
by Lizzie ThomsonA beluga whale has given birth to a calf at Georgia Aquarium and the photos are the pick-me-up we need right now.
The whale, named Whisper, gave birth to a healthy calf on Sunday, after a long labour.
The (not-so) little one weighed 174 pounds at birth – slightly more than an average newborn beluga whale, which weighs between 119 to 145 pounds.
Similarly, the newborn was slightly longer than average, coming in at 5 ft 4 inches – when calves would normally measure between 4 ft 5 to 5 ft 1.
In a video shared by the aquarium, the mother whale can be seen giving birth in the tank and staff members cheer as the newborn calf is delivered.
The footage also shows the adorable baby coming to the surface for the first time and taking a lap around the pool.
A spokesperson for the venue has since revealed that the 20-year-old mother and her baby are doing well.
Dennis Christen, senior director of zoological operations, mammals and birds at Georgia Aquarium, told Insider:’ We are so proud of Whisper and overjoyed to welcome her calf to our Georgia Aquarium family.
‘We will be there right alongside the calf as it continues to grow and learn from Whisper.’
Georgia Aquarium has four other beluga whales — Maple, Imaq, Qinu, and Nunavik — who are currently in a separate area of the facility.
A spokesperson has revealed that they will be introduced to Whisper and her newborn ‘when it’s appropriate.’
The aquarium is currently closed for visitors, but people can still get a taste of marine life from the live webcams on the website – including one for the whales.
Other webcams show African penguins, sea otters, sea lions and more.