Birthdate: 1989
Captured: August 17th 1992
Arrived to Shedd Aquarium: 1992
Relatives: the son "Naya's calf" (deceased) and at least 1 stillborn calf
Naya was
born in 1989 and was captured when she was about 3 years old, on August 17th
1992. She came to Shedd Aquarium in 1992 and in March 1997 she was moved to
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. After less than two years (in January 1999) at
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Naya was moved back to Shedd Aquarium and there
a beluga calf named Kayavak was born the same year. Kayavak’s mother
unfortunately passed away but after a while Naya took care of Kayavak. In 2004
Naya gave birth to a stillborn calf and two years later the female beluga Puiji
gave birth to a daughter. Puiji’s calf was named Bella and when Naya had been
introduced to Bella she began to help Puiji to take care of the little calf.
Naya even began to produce milk and Bella started to drink milk from Naya (even
if she also drank milk from her mother). When Bella was about one year old
another female beluga named Mauyak gave birth to a calf. This calf was a male
and was named Miki. Also this time Naya helped to take care of the calf.
In August/September 2008 Naya and the rest of Shedd Aquarium’s belugas were moved to Mystic Marine Life Aquarium while Shedd Aquarium was going to re-build their beluga centre. In the spring of 2009 they all where moved back to Shedd Aquarium and that is where Naya lives today. Naya weighs 453,59 kilograms and measures 3,2 meters (weight and length 2007).
On December 20th 2009 Naya gave birth to her first surviving calf. The calf was separated from her after the birth but was reunited with her the next day. Unfortunately the calf passed away on December 22nd 2009 but Naya is currently living together with Puiji and her youngest calf born on December 14th 2009.