Beluga Whales: Enchanting Visitors at the Georgia Aquarium

Visitors to the Georgia Aquarium may decide to visit because it proudly boasts to have 100,000 different animals. However, one smile from any of the Beluga Whales will be the reason many decide to come back.

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.

Beluga Whale as it interacts with visitors.

Credit: Layla Lair

Copyright: Layla Lair