New York Aquarium News
Belugas on the Move
Shorebirds won’t be the only ones migrating southward from the coast of New York City this winter. The New York Aquarium’s three female beluga whales, Natasha, 25, Marina, 22, and Maris, 11, will be heading down to the new Georgia Aquarium in the next few weeks as part of a national cooperative breeding program. The transfer will be coordinated through the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.
The cooperative breeding program manages breeding among the entire group of 32 beluga whales in accredited North American zoos and aquariums. Through facilitating exchanges like this one between the New York and Georgia Aquariums, the program strives to foster the best possible social groupings for successful reproduction. Similar programs are in place for other endangered animals, such as gorillas and tigers.
The New York Aquarium is transferring its three potential whale mates now to give them time to settle into their new digs before the breeding season for belugas begins in early spring. At the new Georgia Aquarium—set to open November 23, 2005—they will be housed with two male belugas recently transported from a Mexico City amusement park. “It is a great honor and privilege for the new Georgia Aquarium to receive the female beluga whales from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium, which has had a long history of making a difference for wildlife,” said Jeff Swanagan, Georgia Aquarium Executive Director.
The New York Aquarium has successfully maintained beluga whales at its Coney Island facility since 1961. “The breeding program is important, because we look at what’s best for the entire population of beluga whales along with what is best for individual animals,” said Dr. Paul Boyle, New York Aquarium Director. “We’re going to miss our belugas,” he added. “They have been an important part of our aquarium family for many years, but this is the right thing for them.” Visitors are encouraged to visit the Aquarium during this time to bid the girls a fond farewell and wish them good luck.
