BREAKING NEWS
Killer whale birth in San Diego: Killer whale calf born at SeaWorld San Diego
Photographer: SeaWorld San Diego
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 02/14/2013
SAN DIEGO, CA - An Orca calf was born at SeaWorld San Diego Thursday, the theme park reported.
The young killer whale was born at 6:33 a.m. at Shamu Stadium and appears to be healthy, according to SeaWorld. The mother is Kasatka, estimated to be about 37 years old, which went through about one hour of labor.
The calf is the sixth to be born at SeaWorld, which now has 10 killer whales.
The newborn weighs between 300 and 350 pounds and is around 6 or 7 feet long, according to park officials. It hasn't been determined whether it's male or female.
The calf instinctively swam to the surface to take its first breath after it was born. SeaWorld said zoological team members report the mother and offspring appear to be healthy, but the first few days will be critical.
Orcas have an 18-month gestation period.
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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