CHICAGO, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Mauyak, a 22-year-old beluga whale at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, has defied the biological clock mammal experts assigned her by becoming pregnant.
Earlier this year officials brought Naluark, an 18-year-old male, to Shedd in time for the mating season in the hopes of reproducing with one of the aquarium's three females, but staff members were shocked Wednesday to find that the oldest female, considered to be beyond reproductive years, was pregnant, the Chicago Tribune reported.
"We did see him mate with all three of our females, but he seemed to spend a greater amount of time with Mauyak," said Ken Ramirez, vice president of marine mammal programs.
"Whether that was due to Mauyak seeking him out more than the other females, or him seeking her out due to some attraction he felt toward her, we don't know."
This is Mauyak's fourth pregnancy.
