Shedd Aquarium Makes History in Breakthrough Procedure for Kimalu, a Beluga Whale

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has announced that Kimalu, a 12-year-old female beluga whale born at the aquarium, is recovering well after a groundbreaking surgery. On July 1, Kimalu underwent a pioneering procedure to remove a network of cysts near her blowhole, becoming the first beluga to recover from general anesthesia.

The surgery, supported by nearly 30 experts from Shedd and across the US, was a complex process that required careful planning and execution. Shedd’s animal care and clinical teams are closely monitoring Kimalu’s recovery, providing her with antibiotics, incision-site care, pain management, and specialized nutrition.

“There is no playbook for anesthetizing a beluga and taking her into surgery, so we leaned on our deep understanding of Kimalu as an individual and our incredible network of experts both here at Shedd Aquarium and beyond to guide this procedure,” said Dr. Karisa Tang, vice president of animal health at Shedd Aquarium. “Not only did we succeed in helping Kimalu, but we also made history for beluga whales along the way.”

The successful outcome of the procedure is a significant milestone for Shedd Aquarium, advancing the field of aquatic animal medicine and wellbeing. The experience and findings will be shared with veterinarians worldwide, potentially improving the care and welfare of belugas in aquariums and in the wild.

Kimalu’s cysts were first detected during routine check-ins, and a CT scan was performed to determine the extent of the issue. The results indicated that surgery was the best course of action to improve Kimalu’s quality of life. The veterinary team faced challenges with anesthesia due to Kimalu’s size and unique physiology. Reversing the anesthesia required a coordinated effort, including having Kimalu’s caretakers speak to her and playing recordings of Shedd’s beluga pod vocalizations.

“There were moments when it felt like we were all holding our breath simultaneously,” said Dr. Tang. “This experience is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my career.” After being revived, Kimalu was returned to a specially designed medical habitat, where she was assisted as she began to swim again. The care team will continue to monitor her recovery, providing nutrition and support as needed.

“Her recovery will take time and is still not a guarantee, but we believe this procedure has already provided great relief for Kimalu from the discomfort the cysts were causing,” said Dr. Tang. “Right now, Kimalu gets to set the pace for her healing, and we will follow her lead.”

For more information, visit sheddaquarium.org.