Beluga Whales: Enchanting Visitors at the Georgia Aquarium
The Mystical Beauty of These White Giants Will Awaken Your Spirit
I felt a sense of astonishment and awe from the first moment as I watched these gentle white giants.
Beluga Whales have a range of different facial expressions. They display a simple beauty and innocence in a glance. I was astounded to see the first smile and their childlike nature. All of the Beluga Whales are full of curiosity as they interact and play with onlookers.
Nico is the resident Romeo, and currently the only male Beluga Whale at the Atlanta based Aquarium. He is quite impressive at 12 feet long. I noticed rather quickly that Nico was a romantic and flirt at heart. He is quick with a grin and seems happy and eager to participate with guests of the Aquarium.
Nico has plenty of female company in the tank as well. The three female Beluga Whales, Maris, Natasha, and Marina, are on loan from the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium. They seem perfectly happy and content in the 800,000-gallon tank playing and frolicking.
At my recent visit in July, staff at the Georgia Aquarium stated that a bit of romance had been in the air.
Nico is taken with the Beluga Whale Maris, and his flirtatious chase to impress is very entertaining to watch. The Georgia Aquarium staff commented that to the best of their knowledge there was no reason yet to expect a baby Beluga. However, they continue to remain hopeful because of his apparent interest in Maris.
Before coming to Atlanta, Nico was one of two Beluga Whales that were in an Amusement Park in Mexico City. Conditions there were not as ideal.
The tank in Mexico City, where Nico and Gasper transferred from, was not adequate and was stationed under a noisy roller-coaster. Both Gasper and Nico were underweight upon their arrival, and Gasper was later found to be in failing health. Despite the best care available, Gaspers recovery was a losing battle and he was later euthanized after his short stay at the Georgia Aquarium.
The state of the art tank that they are housed in at the Georgia Aquarium is specifically designed for Beluga Whales.
Water temperatures there are kept at around 55 degrees. Conditions in the tank strive to simulate their natural environment as closely as possible. The glass to the tank is thirteen inches thick to help minimize noise and promote a stress free environment for the whales. Tapping on the glass is forbidden and flash photography is discouraged in an effort to keep the animals in a calm, safe, and happy atmosphere.
The crowds around the Beluga Whale exhibit are at times very heavy.
Georgia Aquarium staff members confided that the best times to visit are at opening, and then again sometime in the late afternoon around 3:00 pm. Choosing to come on a weekday could save waiting in long lines at other exhibits as well.
If it is your intention to come away with wonderful Beluga Whale photos, I recommend calling ahead for the tank-cleaning schedule. The Beluga tank is cleaned twice a week and this makes the water a bit cloudy until the filtration system catches up.
Whatever time or day you choose to visit, prepare to be mesmerized by the gentle beauty of these fascinating and unique creatures. If you would like additional information on the Georgia Aquarium, or their Beluga Whales in Atlanta, please check the resources listed below and enjoy your visit!
Resources include:
The Georgia Aquarium website
www.georgiaaquarium.org/
Visitor Tips for the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta
www.georgiaaquarium.org/visitorTips/index.aspx
Published by Layla Lair
Many of the articles posted by Ms. Lair are available for reprint. Please direct inquiries concerning reprints or freelance to laylalair@yahoo.com. View profile
- Homeschooling in GeorgiaTo homeschool in Georgia, you must be aware of homeschool legislation, required documentation, and find the right curriculum.
- Georgia Bar Exam: A Basic GuideBecoming a Georgia attorney is a challenging process.
Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Macon, GeorgiaIf you are passing through Georgia and driving through or near Macon, you may want to allow time to visit this tuneful tourist temptation.- A Traveler's Guide to Savannah, GeorgiaMillions of people visit historic Savannah, Georgia every year. From drunken party animals to girl scouts, Savannah, Georgia has something to offer everyone.
- Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration
- World in Motion: Fall Has Come to Georgia
- Luxury Bed and Breakfasts in the North Georgia Mountains
- Max O'Well Visits Florida's Tampa Bay Aquarium
- Ghost Hounds: Georgia-based Ghost-hunting Paranormal Investigation Team
- Employment Staffing Agencies in Atlanta, Georgia
- Top Three Vintage Clothing Stores in Savannah, Georgia
17 Comments
Post a CommentOne of my students is developing his research project to include Nico the beluga whale at the GA aquarium. We welcome the information and comments from others. I hope many others add their comments also.
Great Article by the way ;)
When your viewing the belugas at the GA aquarium you are only seeing the front view not the back area of the exhibit which is closed off during hours. THey open the tank door and the 2 females generally roam around back there however Nicco lol he stays in the main exhibit. The Beluga's are truly happy in their environment and much safer from water pollution and poaching
(Continued) SOCIALIZATION!!! If you want to see animals that are sad go to Sea World where they have too many animals in one cage
Obviously you know nothing of Beluga's "Peach Hubbard" The Beluga Whale is a smart animal and has feelings. However, your knowledge is being covered by your ignorance... Beluga Whales have great vision they can see all the people around their habitat. They socialize with them everyday... and if you think socialization can only happen through being vocal than u really don't know the beluga whale yourself. Your basic knowledge is good but your understanding is horrible. Even a free humans life is not stress free... of course its going to be the same for every animal... your dog for instance is happy being in a yard and with its owner not even there. Yet its in a cage? Contradicts your entire statement.Even though they are domestic they can be wild... (the dogs i mean) But they are happy there. Go to school man. Also, next time do more research on the facility they are in and watch their body language. Maybe, you should go and watch them show off in front of everyone.... which can be call
Thank you for your comment peach hubbard. I always enjoy hearing the good and even the bad people have to say.
So you think the Belugas are happy? Would YOU be happy stuck in a closet for the rest of your life? The whales need to be free where they can swim in their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT - the OCEAN - not a fish tank. Dolphins are highly intelligent mammals, with personalities and attitudes and these Belugas are BORED. In their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT they roam from pod to pod - socializing with HUNDREDS of Belugas. "Ideal conditions"??? NOT. "Stress free"??? NOT. You obviously know nothing about Beluga Whales. Count your blessings that you're not the one in the tank.
Sounds like a wonderful place. Thanks for sharing.
We went to the aquarium last year--overall I think I have been to better, but the Beluga whales just... I mean... they're gorgeous. The company my mom works for had a function at the aquarium, and the dining room wall is one side of the Beluga whale tank. We had someone playing violin music, and I promise you that those whales were moving in time to the music.
Great article... Thanks!
I was so fortunate to have been on a whalewatch boat just off the coast of Quebec and saw a school of Belugas...they swam up to us and surrounded our boat..it was amazing...