A beluga calf born at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago in July 2024 is now growing and developing under the care of the aquarium’s animal team. This is the first beluga birth at Shedd in four years. The calf’s mother, Naya, a 35-year-old beluga, gave birth under close supervision. During the delivery, divers were in the water to ensure a smooth birth, and another female beluga, Bella, helped the newborn reach the surface before Naya took over. Since 1991, Shedd has welcomed 15 beluga calves, helping researchers study beluga behavior and growth. Each birth is valuable, as wild belugas live in remote Arctic waters, making them difficult to observe.

Now seven months old, the young beluga is becoming more active and social within Shedd’s pod of eight belugas. Animal behavior experts say the calf is curious and makes sounds similar to a human toddler learning to speak. While it has not yet grown teeth, it has started eating small fish such as herring. Veterinarians continue to monitor the calf’s health through regular check-ups, including ultrasounds. The public is also involved in choosing a name through a voting event. Experts note that belugas at Shedd can grow up to 14 feet (4.26 meters) long and weigh over 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms).