A killer whale calf born at SeaWorld San Antonio October 9 is progressing well, SeaWorld officials said today. SeaWorld animal care specialists and trainers are providing round-the-clock care to the infant, which was rejected by its mother shortly after birth.

"As soon as the mother indicated her disinterest in the calf, our team stepped in to begin the process of hand-rearing," said Dudley Wigdahl, SeaWorld San Antonio's vice president of zoology and general curator. "This is a complicated and challenging process as we attempt to establish a feeding and care schedule."

Twenty-four hour care at SeaWorld San Antonio includes feedings every two hours as well as periodic weigh-ins and blood samples. SeaWorld keepers also are monitoring the calf's breathing and swimming patterns. In addition to providing a special whale formula for feeding sessions, SeaWorld's team is collecting milk from the mother. SeaWorld's animals are trained in several husbandry behaviors that can assist in their care, including urine and milk samples.

"This is a critical time for the calf," said Wigdahl. "Infant mammals are very vulnerable, but SeaWorld parks have a great deal of experience raising sea lions, walruses and dolphins. Much of what we've learned from those challenges can be applied to this case."

This is the first time any SeaWorld park has intervened to rear a killer whale calf at birth. The SeaWorld parks have extensive experience hand-rearing dolphins, manatees, sea lions and walruses, particularly animals adopted by the parks after being orphaned in the wild. Perhaps the best example is J.J., an orphaned California gray whale brought to SeaWorld San Diego in 1997 after beaching near Los Angeles. Just days old, the calf was emaciated and dehydrated. After 14 months of intensive care, J.J. she was released back into the Pacific Ocean. While at SeaWorld San Diego, J.J. grew from 1,700 pounds to 20,000 pounds.

The five-day-old calf now weighs 284 pounds. This was the first birth for 17-year-old mother whale, Kayla. This birth increases SeaWorld San Antonio's killer whale population to eight. The calf's condition is considered fair; the mother is in good condition and is eating well.

Although SeaWorld officials are not sure why the mother became disinterested in the calf, they theorized it to be the naivete of the mother.

"Many first-time mothers struggle with the mechanics of the birthing process, both in marine parks and in ocean populations," Wigdahl said. "As Kayla is a first-time mother, she could have been confused about what to do."