Twelve-year-old Qila is the beluga at the Vancouver Aquarium -- but not for long.
Her handlers suspected she might be expecting last May, when her hormone levels started rising. An ultrasound confirmed it.
Now, veterinarian Martin Haulena says the aquarium is excited about getting a baby beluga.
"This is the fetus right here, you can see it moving around," he said, pointing to the ultrasound for CTV.
"The eye is right here, the mouth, a little bit of teeth," he said. "You get a few different angles."
The calf is already 90 centimetres long and weights 25 kilograms.
Qila was the first beluga both conceived and born at a Canadian aquarium, when she was delivered by her mom Aurora in July of 1995. If all goes well Aurora will become a grandmother.
This is Qila's second pregnancy. The first, in 2001, didn't reach full term. Even with the best care, Qila's calf only has a 50 per cent chance of surviving.
"Qila is the only surviving whale from seven previous attempts where three orcas, two belugas, and one dolphin died," said Brunella Battista of No Whales In Captivity.
Qila will have routine blood work and ultrasounds every four to six weeks to ensure her calf is progressing normally.
The gestation period for beluga whales is 14 to 16 months. Qila's calf is due in July or August.
Staff say the father must be 19-year-old Imaq -- the only male currently at the acquarium -- but he was not available for comment.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Carrie Stefanson
