Kayavak [SEP] residence
Kayavak
Kayavak (born August 3, 1999) is a female beluga whale that currently resides at the Shedd Aquarium in downtown Chicago. She is the only daughter of the mother beluga named Immiayuk. The father whale, Inuk, was moved to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, to breed with other whales.
Early life.
Kayavak was born on 3 August 1999 to a beluga named Immiayuk at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and was described by Shedd as "a happy, healthy and curious calf". As part of
he died in 2009. Kayavak started spending more time with Naluark, an adult male to whom the aquarium had been reluctant to introduce Kayavak.
As Kayavak matured sexually, she became subject to abuse by older whales, including Naluark and Mauyak.
As of August 2011, Kayavak is a healthy 12-year-old whale and lives with another seven of her species at the aquarium. She is ranked lowest in the natural hierarchical system of that whale community. She can be identified by a distinct white birthmark that somewhat resembles that