24Jun/106
Beluga Whales Through the Looking Glass
Through the viewing glass at the Vancouver Aquarium I saw these beluga whales just one week ago. The year-old grey calf, Nala, died Monday night from two stones and a penny that had become lodged and infected in its airway. Aquarium staff say Nala had been sick for about 2 weeks, which means it was feeling under the weather in this photo. I couldn't tell otherwise - both Nala and mom Aurora here looked rather magnificent. Don't throw away your pennies for a whole host of reasons, this being just one more.
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June 24th, 2010 - 02:02
That’s sad. Beluga whales are so sweet looking.
June 24th, 2010 - 08:31
I miss our Belugas!! They used to be my favorite part of the zoo visit. What a tragic way to go! …. Some people just don’t think…
June 24th, 2010 - 11:58
Staff explained how it’s possible for stones to get in the tank because it’s quite common for birds to drop rocks in from overhead, but a penny?? You do have to wonder sometimes what people are thinking – or rather, why they aren’t thinking. I wonder what happens in the wild though — are belugas just as susceptible to things getting lodged in their airways? Maybe it’s more a characteristic of being in captivity in a controlled environment…
June 25th, 2010 - 23:12
i am a very sad panda to hear about Nala. When i visited the aquarium i sat below and watched the beluga’s forever. I found their grace in the water mesmerizing. How something so huge and blobby can glide through water like that. They almost dance, like the original Belly Dancers, cuz you know those belugas have some curves.
June 28th, 2010 - 07:44
I could sit there for probably an hour watching them and not feel like I’m wasting time either. Same with the mammoth sea turtle tank and how they glide around like butter yet are completely non-aerodynamic creatures! I guess water makes movement very forgiving, but I’m not too comfortable with my face being in water so I’d never make it in sea life. Showers are bad enough. haha
June 29th, 2010 - 15:39
I’m just the same in showers, I’m so pleased you are too. I used to feel rather stupid panicking in my own bathroom!
How sad about that calf.