MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    

August 12 2008

BELUGA CALF AND GRANDMA REUNITED

Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Aquarium’s two-month old beluga calf has her grandmother back.

Aurora, the 23 year old beluga, has been reintroduced to her daughter, Qila (pronounced: Kee-lah), and her unnamed granddaughter.

The reunion took place last night in the main beluga habitat under the watchful eyes of Aquarium animal care staff. 

“It went magnificently,” said Brian Sheehan, Marine Mammal Curator.  “Aurora swam right over to Qila and her baby for a quick reintroduction and they’ve been behaving famously ever since.  We thought it was time to open up the calf’s social circle and bringing in Aurora is the perfect first step.  Listening to their vocalizations suggests all three are very happy to be back together.

Over the past ten weeks, Qila and her calf have been the sole occupants of their habitat since the beluga’s June 10th birth to give both mom and baby the opportunity to form those critical early bonds that are so important.  While Aurora has excellent parenting skills herself and will be expected to take the calf from time to time to give mom a break, Qila, a first-time mother, has been developing strong maternal skills and her calf has responded. 

“The two month old is very energetic and continues to gain weight, putting on that healthy layer of blubber belugas are known for,” said Dr. Marty Haulena, Senior Veterinarian.  “She is also interacting more with staff and visitors which suggests she is becoming more inquisitive about her surroundings.”

The Vancouver Aquarium is a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, conservation practices, education, research, and direct action.  Please visit www.vanaqua.org to learn more about the Vancouver Aquarium.

NOTE:  B-roll footage available through FTP upon request.

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Media Contacts:

Public Relations

Office: 604.659.3752  

Cell: 604.230.4673     

publicrelations@vanaqua.org

Dave Calder

VP, Marketing & Communications

dave.calder@vanaqua.org