Cheers as Beluga Whale Gives Birth at Chicago Aquarium

There were joyous scenes among staff at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago as they welcomed the birth of a beluga whale calf on Friday, August 21.

First-time mom Bella, who’s aged 14, gave birth to a 139-pound male calf at 8:42 pm Friday evening, after nearly 15 hours of labor, Shedd Aquarium said.

The aquarium said most beluga whale calves are born tailfirst, but Bella’s calf successfully arrived headfirst.

Footage released by Shedd Aquarium shows the cheers as the calf emerged. Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Sam Cejtin via Storyful