A beluga whale calf was born at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago in July 2024 and is now growing under the care of the animal team. This is the first beluga birth at Shedd in four years. The calf’s mother, Naya, is 35 years old and gave birth with close supervision. During the birth, divers were in the water to help if needed. Another female beluga, Bella, assisted the newborn by guiding it to the surface until Naya took over. Since 1991, Shedd has had 15 beluga births, helping researchers understand how these whales grow and behave. Because wild belugas live in the Arctic, studying them is difficult. Now seven months old, the calf is becoming more active and social within Shedd’s group of eight belugas. Experts say it is curious and makes sounds like a toddler learning to talk. It has not grown teeth yet but has started eating small fish like herring. Veterinarians check its health with regular exams, including ultrasounds. The public can help choose its name through a voting event. Adult belugas at Shedd can reach 14 feet (4.26 meters) and weigh over 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms).