Birth was both beautiful and gross, says one spectator
In what was called a “textbook” delivery, Aurora the beluga whale delivered her 1.5-metre calf in the Vancouver Aquarium. The calf, Aurora’s third, looked to be healthy and swam around the tank with its mother. Beluga calves have a mortality rate of 40 to 50 per cent so staff will be monitoring it closely. Aquarium visitors were able to view the birth. “I think it’s simultaneously one of the most beautiful and grossest things I’ve been able to see,” said aquarium member Sam Tucker to the Vancouver Sun.