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ATLANTA (AP) — Officials at the Georgia Aquarium say a 20-year-old beluga whale, Maris, is expecting a calf in the spring.
Dr. Greg Bossart, the aquarium's chief veterinary officer, says Maris is healthy and the calf appears to be developing normally.
Maris gave birth to her first calf in May 2012, but that calf had multiple medical problems and died less than a week after her birth. The aquarium says first-time pregnancies in belugas and other marine mammals are often unsuccessful, both in captivity and in the wild.
Bossart says chances for a successful beluga birth increase with every pregnancy and that the aquarium is "guardedly optimistic" about the current pregnancy.
The aquarium also says Beethoven, a 22-year-old male beluga, has been moved to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
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