Science & Nature

Shedd Solves Mysteries of Baby Beluga’s Sex and Parentage, Now the Young Whale Needs a Name

Six months after welcoming its first baby beluga in four years, Shedd Aquarium finally has the answers to two big questions: “Boy or girl?” and “Who’s the daddy?”

“It’s a boy!” the aquarium announced Thursday, and also provided an update on the newcomer’s health. Baby boy beluga is eating well — already nearly triple his birth weight of 105 pounds — is swimming in new spaces, and is bonding with his caretakers and other members of Shedd’s beluga pod.

As for the fella’s parentage, that played out like an episode of “Maury.”

Mom is 35-year-old Naya, but there are two mature males in Shedd’s pod. DNA testing revealed that Beethoven, the oldest male beluga at Shedd, is the father.

Beluga dads are 100% hands-off when it comes to parenting, so Beethoven has yet to even meet his son, an introduction that won’t happen for several more months, according to Shedd officials.

Now all the baby needs is a name.

Shedd’s animal care team has come up with four options, to be voted on by current and new members. The poll will be open through Feb. 27.

Here are the contenders:

— Campbell: for the Campbell Creek Estuary Park in Anchorage, Alaska, where belugas have been known to swim and feed.

— Kincaid: also the name of a park near Anchorage, where there are two beluga observation stations used during the annual “Belugas Count!” event, which looks for endangered whales in the Cook Inlet.

— Leucas: for the scientific name of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).

— Opus: a musical reference in honor of Beethoven and also a nod to belugas’ reputation as “canaries of the sea” with their unique vocalizations.

As the baby beluga continues to explore new spaces, guests may occasionally catch a glimpse of him meandering into an exhibit area. He’s the smallest in size and darkest in color.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]

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