1st Whale Conceived by Artificial Means Is Born
The first whale conceived by artificial insemination was born Saturday night at SeaWorld, a spokesman said.
A 25-year-old orca named Kasatka gave birth to a seemingly healthy, 350-pound calf around 9 p.m., spokesman Bob Tucker said Sunday.
“We’re closely monitoring it, but it all appears well so far,” he said. “The calf was swimming next to its mother.”
Park officials had yet to name the newborn killer whale and hope to ascertain its gender in several days. Whale sex characteristics are not apparent at birth, Tucker said.
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