MUSEUM CAMPUS — Final month, the Shedd Aquarium invited its members to vote on a reputation for its latest beluga calf — the Shedd’s first one in over 4 years.
The winner is in: Opus.
The identify, which is a musical composition or set of compositions, was initially chosen by the Shedd’s animal care crew to honor the calf’s father, Beethoven. Voters apparently appreciated the household tie inherent within the identify.
“The chosen identify had overwhelming assist, our members beloved the connection between father and son, discovered the identify to be intelligent and appreciated the chance to offer this particular whale a reputation,” mentioned Charlie Jacobsma, director of animal habits and coaching at Shedd Aquarium, in a launch.
The identify additionally references belugas’ distinctive vocalizations — like chirps, chirps, clicks, whistles and squeals — which have given the whales the nickname “canaries of the ocean.”
Opus was one in all 4 names Shedd members voted on in an unique digital ballot. The opposite contenders have been Campbell, Kincaid and Leucas — every of which additionally had particular meanings. Campbell is a reference to the Campbell Creek Estuary Park in Anchorage, Alaska; Kincaid is an Alaskan park that’s house to 2 beluga statement stations; and Leucas is for Delphinapterus leucas, the scientific identify of beluga whales.
Opus the whale calf was born July 24. His mother and father are fellow Shedd residents 35-year-old beluga Naya and the aforementioned Beethoven, the aquarium’s oldest male beluga who may be recognized by his tail’s ruffled edge.
“A lot of what we find out about belugas like this calf is found at aquariums, so it was a becoming alternative to interact a bunch deeply dedicated to our mission and our work with the whales,” mentioned Jacobsma.
Opus is faring effectively and growing new expertise “and we’re nonetheless discovering new issues by his care and development that we share with our neighborhood – visitors, companions and scientists,” Jacobsma mentioned.
The Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. day-after-day besides Saturdays, when it’s open till 6 p.m. Illinois residents obtain an admission low cost.
Guests can observe Opus and the opposite belugas within the Abbott Oceanarium on the aquarium’s decrease stage. Extra data is on the Shedd’s web site.
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