Beluga Birth Caught On Camera: It's A Girl!

Qila was born at the Vancouver Aquarium on July 23, 1995, and is now a mom herself. Her newborn beluga is:

* about 1.5 metres long and weighs more than 50 kilograms (at birth)
* slate grey – it will gradually lighten as it matures
* wrinkled for the first few weeks
* adorable

This is Qila's first calf and like any new mammal mom she is learning how to care for her baby. One of the first few milestones the veterinary staff are looking for are bonding and nursing. In preparation for the birth, two of the belugas (Imaq and Kavna) were moved to the Aquarium’s research area behind the scenes.

The move gives Qila the space she needs to bond and nurse her calf. It also minimizes the distractions to her as she establishes a nursing pattern with her newborn calf. Aurora, Qila’s mom, will stay with her as a companion.

Imaq and Kavna will return to join Qila and her calf once the staff are certain that mom and calf are ready to widen their social circle. Imaq is the father of Qila’s calf.

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Watch the Belugas on live webcam