New beluga whale arrives at Mystic Aquarium

Mystic — Mystic Aquarium announced Monday that a 37-year-old female beluga whale named Natasha from Sea World San Antonio has been added to the two beluga whales in its Arctic Coast exhibit.

The whale was transported to the aquarium Sunday and is now acclimating to the exhibit in one of its auxiliary pools. The whale was introduced to one of the belugas named Kela and will then be introduced to the other whale, Juno.

“She’s doing well. She’s eating. She’s interacting with our trainers and she is swimming with Kela,” said the aquarium’s senior director of public relations Dale Wolbrink on Monday.

She said it may be a week or so before visitors will be able to see Natasha in the main tank as trainers need to gauge how she is interacting with the two other whales.

“As a mission-driven organization, Mystic Aquarium is keenly focused on and fully engaged in conserving and protecting beluga whales. The addition of, a 37-year-old beluga whale, allows us added opportunity to advance these important efforts,” Wolbrink said.

She said the aquarium works closely with other facilities that are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and certified by American Humane “to promote the genetic diversity and social dynamics of beluga whales in professional care and sustain the species through responsible breeding programs.”

Video of Natasha can be seen on the aquarium’s Facebook page.