Beluga calf born at SeaWorld in San Antonio
A beluga whale called Crissy gave birth to a calf on Sunday afternoon at SeaWorld’s marine park in San Antonio. It is not yet known what sex the new calf is.
Sadly, captive beluga whales have not faired well in recent years with several deaths in North American facilities. A newborn calf died shortly after it was born at SeaWorld Orlando in August. In November 2016, a mother and calf died within a few days of each other at the Vancouver Aquarium while in 2015 two young belugas died at SeaWorld and another two at Georgia Aquarium.
In July, Georgia Aquarium announced that Qinu, a beluga whale it is holding is expecting a calf later this year.
Find out more about the issues surrounding the keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity.