The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

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Two baby Killer Whales in just two days! Loro Parque, located in Spain's Canary Islands, welcomed its first orca calf yesteday. Veterinarians, biologists and other experts, watched anxiously over the four hours of labor. Moments after the birth, the onlookers were relieved to see the healthy newborn calf instinctively rise to the surface and take its first breath. The baby weighs 150 kilograms (330 lbs) and measures 2 meters (6.5 feet) long. The conservation status of Killer Whales is poorly understood and scientists are working hard to determine if one or more types of different Killer Whales may be distinct endangered species. 

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Special thanks to ZooBorns reader Juan Villalba for alerting us to this birth.

4 responses to “Loro Parque Welcomes Killer Whale Calf”

  1. ray Avatar
    ray

    Amazing video!

  2. maxon Avatar
    maxon

    Wow – what an amazing baby.

  3. Ashley P Avatar

    I have to agree it is an amazing baby. It’s sad Kohana rejected him, but I’m glad he’s healthy and being cared for by loving trainers and veterinarians. First-time mother mammals are more likely to reject their young due to inexperience. This doesn’t happen quite as often in the wild as it does in captivity. However, rejected baby mammals in captivity have the advantage because caregivers can step in and handrear them.

  4. CJ Avatar
    CJ

    Aren’t these whales called Orcas? I get the name “killer whale” but it seems a bit archaic. Adorable baby, though!

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