FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                   JUNE 10, 2008

IT’S A BOUNCING BABY BELUGA!

Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Aquarium is thrilled to announce that Qila (pronounced: Kee-lah), a 12 year old beluga whale,

gave birth this afternoon!

The blessed event occurred at 4:28pm (PST) today. Aquarium veterinary team members have determined with near certainty that the calf

is female. The determination of gender should become certain at approximately 6 months.

The calf and mother are doing well and will remain under 24-hour observation by the Aquarium’s veterinary and animal care staff.

This newborn beluga is about 1.5 metres long and weighs more than 50 kilograms (at birth), slate grey (it will gradually lighten as it matures), wrinkled for the first few weeks and… adorable!

“This is a very exciting time for all of us.  Qila and her calf are doing very well but there are several critical milestones for the calf to reach over the next few days and weeks,” said Dr. Haulena, Staff Veterinarian, Vancouver Aquarium. “Qila is a first-time mom, but she is doing a great job so far.” The calf has yet to be named.

Visitors to the Aquarium will be able to see Qila and her calf from a distance of 5 or 6 metres in order to ensure peace and quiet for Mom

and baby.  The next milestone looked for by Aquarium staff is bonding between Qila and her calf followed within the next 24 hours by nursing.

This is Qila’s first calf, which was sired by Imaq the sole male beluga at Vancouver Aquarium.  Qila’s mother, Aurora, is currently located in the same habitat as Qila and her calf.  The Aquarium’s other two beluga whales, Imaq and Kavna, are currently being cared for in the Aquarium’s behind-the-scenes research facilities.

Note to media: HD B-roll, stills & interviews will be made available upon request.

Visit the Vancouver Aquarium channel on YouTube.com for amazing footage of today’s special event! 

Go to: http://youtube.com/vancouveraquarium

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 find out more about Vancouver Aquarium.

-30-

Media Contacts:

Kent Hurl                                                                                                                                                     Dave Calder

Public Relations                                                                                                                                         VP, Marketing & Communications
Office: 604.659.3752                                                                                                         Office: 604.659.3438

Cell: 604.230.4673                                                                                                            dave.calder@vanaqua.org

kent.hurl@vanaqua.org