| First calf born to killer whale raised in captivity
A killer whale known as "Lovey" who was born and bred in captivity recently gave birth to a calf, the first time this has happened in Japan. Kamogawa Sea World said that the baby is reportedly healthy and swimming along with its mother.
It's the first time a killer whale born in captivity has ever given birth in Japan. Breeding killer whales in captivity is extremely difficult, and just 50 percent or so of whales born this way develop normally.
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The baby whale's tail was first spotted at 8:55 a.m. on Monday 13 October, with the birth finishing 3 hours later, to cheers from visitors. The aquarium plans to suspend the killer whale shows to observe the baby's growth. It hasn't been decided when the baby will be put on public display. |
The baby measures about 2 meters in length and weighs an estimated 160 to 180 kilograms. Its gender is not known.
Lovey was born at the aquarium in 1998. She was found to be pregnant two months after mating with a male killer whale, named Oscar, at the aquarium in April 2007.
Original story and images here
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