WHOSE
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Science
The birth took place at 11:08 p.m., after about eight hours of labor, as reported by the Oceanográfico in a press release.
This small whale, whose sex has not yet been confirmed, has a length of 1.20 m and a weight of approximately 90 kilos, and unlike white adult belugas, it still has a dark gray color that will disappear as it ages. I developed.
The event, despite the reserved prognosis, has brought great joy among the staff of the Oceanográfico, and the chances of it not exceeding these first weeks and months are very high.
In any case, this birth represents a milestone in the study and conservation of this species , since so far only around beluga Whale Are Friendly have been reproduced in oceanariums in the United States, Canada and Japan with which, on the other hand, The Oceanographic Center plans to develop coordinated reproduction plans.
A team of caregivers will carry out continuous monitoring of the mother and calf during the first weeks to better understand the mother-child relationship of this species.
On the other hand, and in order not to disturb the 'baby', the "Arctic" facility will remain closed to the public for at least a month. "
"Yulka", about 8 years old, and "Kairo", between 18 and 20 years old, are the only representatives of their species in European centres.
These two white whales arrived in July 2003 at the facilities of the City of Arts and Sciences from Mar de Plata , in Argentina.
If the evolution of the animal is adequate, it will be incorporated into the research project on the acoustic behavior of these animals that is carried out at the Oceanográfico; a project that tries to better understand their communication and protection at sea.