SeaWorld San Diego welcomed a new orca to the park today, as Kalia gave birth to a calf just after noon in the park's Shamu Stadium pool.
The killer whale calf, who is yet to be named, is the seventh killer whale born at the park, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The calf is estimated to weigh between 300-350 pounds and is between six and seven feet long. The calf was born after a 17-month gestation. Here's a video from the park:
According to a park statement, "this is the first calf for Kalia, who is the daughter of Kasatka, who has given birth to four calves herself. In the pool with Kalia during the labor and delivery were her mother (Kasatka) and her brothers (13-year-old Nakai and 1-and-half-year-old Makani). The most recent killer whale births at SeaWorld San Diego prior to this one occurred when Kasatka gave birth to Makani in 2013 and Kalia in 2004."
Potentially interesting note: Nowhere in its press release does SeaWorld use the phrase "Baby Shamu," which it often used to employ when an orca calf was born. Personally, I prefer the park using the orcas' actual names and reserving the "Shamu" brand for the cartoon walk-around character.
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