Shedd Aquarium welcomes first baby beluga whale since 2020

There's a new calf in town.

A beluga whale calf, that is. Naya, a 35-year-old beluga whale at Shedd Aquarium, gave birth Wednesday evening.

The calf was born shortly after 6 p.m. and took its first breath of air at the water's surface just after that. The first breath of air is a sign of good health its caretakers watch for in the calf's early moments.

The calf is the first born at the Shedd since 2020.

“While it’s still very early, we are encouraged by how strong and spirited this calf seems to be,” Charles Jacobsma, director of animal behavior and training at the Shedd Aquarium, said in a news release.

“Over the next several weeks, our animal care team will be observing Naya and the calf, collecting data and doing everything they can to make sure they both have all the support they need.”

Both Naya and the unnamed calf are healthy and showing signs of bonding with each other, the Shedd Aquarium said. The calf, whose sex and paternity haven't been confirmed, is about 5 feet long and 105 pounds.

"The calf is strong and spirited, and Naya is an attentive mother," said Peggy Sloan, the aquarium's chief animal conservation officer. "If the calf tries to swim away from her, she makes sure it stays close."

The calf is expected to grow more independent in the coming weeks, but "right now, they are one unit," Sloan said.

After the calf starts to feel more comfortable with Naya and develops properly, they will join the rest of the pod of belugas at the aquarium, Sloan said. When that will happen depends on the calf's development and personality, but it could be anywhere from a few months to a year from now.

Caretakers and veterinarians will observe Naya and the calf closely around the clock over the next few months. The team is "cautiously optimistic" and looking for important behaviors signaling development, including swimming together, regular nursing and fast weight gain for the calf.

Beluga births are rarely seen in the wild, and the observation of Naya and her calf will support research on the species. Neonatal development in the belugas can indicate the effects of pollution, noise and human activity on the species, the release said.

"Every birth is significant," Sloan said. "The birth of a beluga whale is certainly something to celebrate no matter where it happens, in an aquarium or in the wild. We are feeling so tremendously grateful to be able to support this for her and for her species."

The aquarium's Secluded Bay habitat will be closed to the public while the calf is under observation. A date hasn't been announced for when guests can see the calf.