Science & Nature
Shedd Aquarium Makes History With Successful Surgery on Beluga Whale: ‘We Were All Holding Our Breath’
Staff at Shedd Aquarium ease Kimalu, a 12-year-old beluga whale, into a special medical habitat following a groundbreaking surgery to remove cysts near the whale's blowhole. Kimalu became the first known beluga in the world to recover from general anesthesia. (Shedd Aquarium / Brenna Hernandez)
Officials at Shedd Aquarium say they are guardedly optimistic about the outcome of a groundbreaking surgery on 12-year-old Kimalu, one of their eight beluga whales.
A team of nearly 30 experts from Shedd and around the country on Tuesday took part in the procedure to remove a network of cysts growing close to Kimalu’s blowhole and on her neck.
“In the process, Kimalu became the first known beluga in the world to recover from general anesthesia,” Shedd said in a statement.
Kimalu was born at the Shedd and it was her caretakers’ daily familiarity with the beluga that led them to notice a change in her behavior. A physical checkup, followed by a CT scan, revealed the cysts, which were causing discomfort and becoming larger.
Though inaction wasn’t an option, Kimalu’s caretakers realized surgery posed inherent risks.
While sedation of any animal is tricky, anesthetizing a 1,000-pound aquatic creature adds several degrees of difficulty. There had only been one prior documented case of a beluga undergoing anesthesia, according to Shedd.
“Because this case is so unprecedented, we could do everything right and still be unsuccessful,” Dr. Karisa Tang, who oversees the veterinary medical program at Shedd Aquarium, said in a statement.
A vast team of experts from Shedd and around the country was assembled to participate in the surgery on Kimalu. (Shedd Aquarium / Brenna Hernandez)
Kimalu isn’t out of the woods yet, but the fact that she survived the surgery and was roused from anesthesia represents a huge step forward in beluga care.
“There were moments when it felt like we were all holding our breath simultaneously,” said Tang. “This experience is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my career.”
Tang said cancer isn’t suspected, but pathologists will run tests on the cysts to better understand their cause. When Kimalu was a calf, Shedd treated her for something similar but the issue hadn’t reoccurred until now, Tang added.
Kimalu, known for her curious and sometimes silly nature, is now recovering in a special medical habitat at Shedd and is being continually monitored by her caretakers.
“Right now, Kimalu gets to set the pace for her healing, and we will follow her lead,” Tang said
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]
