beluga

One of the Vancouver Aquarium's resident belugas, Qila, gave birth to a healthy calf back in June. Now four months old, the calf is beginning to play with her trainers and especially enjoys tongue rubs, which the aquarium staff say is kind of like a massage... for your tongue... From the video info section: "Look closely for her frilly tongue. It helps forms a tight seal while she's nursing. Beluga calves don't suckle; instead, the mother squirts milk into her calf's mouth. The calf will have a name by the end of October. Her name will be chosen from entries to the Aquarium's Name the Baby…
This calf was born yesterday to Qila, who herself was born at the Vancouver Aquarium 12 years ago. Special thanks to Vancouver Aquarium employee Keey Prior for bringing this to our attention.
Japan is a country pretty much known for only one thing: being mean to whales. They eat whales for taste and curiousity and conduct "experiments" on whales for "Mengele street cred." But now, they have finally taken their twisted torture too far. The Daily Mail, Britain's most trusted source for news, reported today that a Japanese aquarium has PUT SANTA CLAUS HATS on two beluga whales who are being held hostage there, an act which has brought "laughter and cheers" from the aquarium's visitors. Just hold a moment and let that last part sink in...Yup, you heard me correctly. It would appear…
Whale or little alien? How can we be sure... A couple of months ago we covered the birth of a baby beluga whale to mama Mauyak at the Shedd Aquarium. Well now Shedd is asking for your help in naming the rambunctious little tyke. A variety of names from the Pacific Northwest that are equally meaningless to an English speaker's ear can be selected: Ipiktok (Ip-eek-tock) Very keen or sharp Opipok (Oh-pee-pock) Admirable, to admire Tuwawi (Too-wah-wee) Quick Nilak (Nee-lock) Fresh water ice Kimalu (Kee-ma-loo) Traditional Inuit name given to special people Mituk (Mee-took) Small snow layer on…