Vancouver beluga whale gives birth

by Barry Artiste | June 11, 2008 at 06:39 am | 2648 views | 52 comments

The video of a live birth of a Baby Beluga at the Vancouver Aquarium is a sight to see. A Canada First of a Live birth in captivity of a Baby Beluga and the Photographs by the Province News Jon Murray, gives us all a "Whales Eye view" of this exciting event.

There will now be a contest amongst British Columbian's to come up with an appropriate name for the Baby Beluga.

VANCOUVER - Vancouver beluga whale gives birth

Vancouver Aquarium crowd burst into applause after calf was born

Allison Cross, Vancouver Sun

Published: Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The Vancouver Aquarium welcomed a female calf into the world today when their 12-year-old beluga whale Qila gave birth at 4:28 p.m.

Immediately after she was born, the calf swam to the surface of the tank to take a breath.

Add a comment Comments (52)

patgarcia
good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. Beautiful story of a new life! Our animal kingdom is in danger  due to so many contributing causes, it's a good feeling to see the birth of such wonderful mammal.

spen-pics

A great story for this fabulous city. I have been in Vancouver for 10 months and return to the UK in August. I love it here, and the Beluga whale will be one of many great memories!

Barry Artiste

Thanks Pat, it was certainly a sight to see.

Luiz Castro
good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.


I saw her when I've been there, Vancouver is a very nice city.

Barry Artiste

Thanks for the compliment Castro, it would have been nice if the photos I posted would be in proper order as a better display as it happens.

kate

Here is my live voice report from the scene yesterday.

Barry Artiste

Excellent Kate, Thanks

amyjudd
good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.

It's so cute!

Swan
good stuff:

Hello Barry,

Whales are one of my favorite topics!

The Baluga is a beautiful whale, in fact they're one of my favorite, along with the Orca and Minke.

Did you know that almost 60% of the world's whales can be found in Australia?  You can see all the whales found there at the same link.

apawa
good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.

cynthia yoo

It's adorable!  But how will the aquarium fit all the beluga whales?

Barbara McPherson
good stuff:

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.  I think the previous people have said it all.  Thanks for the good news.

Barbara McPherson

Thanks for the good news.

Barry Artiste

Thanks everyone for your comments and as Cynthia says adorable, as for room for all of them, I am sure they will come up with something in future.

Jessica Hunggar

This is Qila, the pregnant beluga. I took this pic 2 days before the baby pooped out. Unfortunately I miss the "moment".

Jessica Hunggar has contributed a photo to this story.

Tomasmurr

thats great news! im really glad to hear that their is another one of these amazing creatures on the planet now.

Barry Artiste

Thanks for the contribution Jessica, and thanks for the comments Tom

mitame

I worked on a cruiseship that docked in Vancouver every Saturday and would go and visit the aquarium almost every week.  Belugas are one of my favorite animals because they are just so beautiful and unique.  I'm so glad there's another addition to the Vancouver family! :)

wdalee

wdalee has contributed a photo to this story.

lmm1969

lmm1969 has contributed a photo to this story.

safastan

Taken from the underwater viewing window at the aquarium in Vancouver. Congratulations on the arrival of the new whale.
Shaun Stanley

safastan has contributed a photo to this story.

andreamary

Qila is an amazing beluga to watch - she has such personality and charisma. Her baby is sure to be a charmer!

andreamary has contributed a photo to this story.

Barry Artiste

Thanks everyone for your comments, if you get a chance to visit,  it will surely be worth the trip

kinnigurl

I have always loved the Belugas at the aquarium and couldn't resist snapping this photo as the Beluga smiled down at these two gentlemen. Believe it or not, this photo was taken at the Vancouver International Airport.

kinnigurl has contributed a photo to this story.

benleto

Fantastic - I'll certainly stop by an have a look as soon as I get the chance. Belugas are adorable creatures. I fell utterly in love with them when I was last at Vancouver Aquarium.

broccolichop

This photo was taken in June 2007 at Vancouver Aquarium.

broccolichop has contributed a photo to this story.

thaisms

This gorgeous animal seems to stop mid water and pose with a smile for the picture.

thaisms has contributed a photo to this story.

mayrussian7

Congratulations, Qila and Vancouver Aquarium!

juliefanselow

I am happy to hear about the baby whale in Vancouver. I took this photo at the Van Aquarium in July 2007.

juliefanselow has contributed a photo to this story.

mattcatpurple

Just added photos taken during the Aquarium's beluga encounter two weeks ago. The whale I am touching in the photos is Qila. She rolled over and we stroked her very pregnant belly. Interesting how little is known about beluga whales -- they weren't sure when she was due and said that 50% of the babies die so they were being very careful. They were hoping that leaving Qila's mom in with her after the birth would be helpful. Grandmas are always needed, eh?

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June 11, 2008 at 06:39 am by Barry Artiste, 2648 views, 52 comments

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First Flagged at 6:49 AM, Jun 11, 2008 by patgarcia
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