Sea World News

FIFTH DAY AT SEA WORLD OF CALIFORNIA FINDS GRAY WHALE CALF CONTINUING TO IMPROVE

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (January 16, 1997) – Animal care specialists caring for a gray whale calf at Sea World of California say today the infant is gaining an average of 20 pounds daily and her vital signs remain stable. That’s extraordinarily good news for the whale, which was transported to the marine life park Saturday night in critical condition. Since arriving at Sea World of California, the still-unnamed calf has been kept alive through the efforts of dozens of people from several park departments. Assisting the three dozen members of the park’s animal care staff in the round-the-clock battle to help the whale survive are veterinarians, medical technologists and water quality professionals. One of the major responsibilities in the whale’s care is feeding the calf two gallons of a specially prepared whale milk formula every three to four hours. While one group of workers creates the rich blend of heavy cream, pureed fish and special powdered milk formula critical for the calf’s nutritional needs, another group dons wet suits and climbs into the chilly pool with the whale. Coordinating their efforts with other workers, keepers surround the calf and gently support her. They place the feeding tube in the whale’s mouth, hold a large funnel in place and slowly pour the warmed formula through the tube into the whale’s stomach.

When the calf has consumed the entire two gallons, the feeding tube is removed. Between feedings, the crew in the pool offers the whale a foot-long nipple to help her develop her suckling response. After she has demonstrated the strength to suck a sufficient amount of the formula, veterinarians hope to substitute a large bottle for the feeding tube. Workers at the park have been challenged to design the device. It will be the first known gray whale nursing bottle in existence. "Every day we’re gaining more information abut this infant gray whale, and possibly gray whale calves in general," said Dr. Jim McBain, Sea World’s director of veterinary medicine. "We’re consulting with other marine mammal experts, and we’re compiling data which may be of importance to scientists and educators in the future." Although they are very encouraged by the whale’s continued progress, Sea World animal care experts caution that the next few days and weeks remain a critical time for the calf. As with other beached and stranded animals cared for at the park, Sea World’s ultimate goal is to eventually reintroduce the California gray whale back into the ocean. In response to a flood of calls, Sea World's Education Department provides daily updates on the calf through its toll-free information hotline, 1-800-23-SHAMU, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST. More than 2,600 calls were received yesterday, many offering possible names. Animal care workers say they are close to naming the calf.

Adult female gray whales average 46 feet in length and weigh 35 tons. They consume 2,400 pounds of food daily, and it takes a 660-pound meal to fill their stomach.