A beluga whale named Ponka died at Moskvarium at the age of 35. About this write press service of the aquarium on the official website.
The beluga whale (lat. Delphinapterus leucas) is a species of toothed whale that belongs to the narwhal family. It is distinguished by its characteristic white adult color and lack of a dorsal fin. Adult males reach a length of 3.5 to 5.5 m, females – from 3 to 4.1 m.
The press agency noted that beluga whales settled in Moskvarium more than 10 years ago; it was transported from the closed dolphinarium in Adler. The cause of her death was multiple organ failure.
Moskvarium notes that at the time of his death, Ponka was over 35 years old, which in nature is considered quite long-lived: on average beluga whales live 30 to 40 years.
Ponca, despite his advanced age, remained very active and curious until the very end, loved to play and was extremely excited to try new things, the aquarium explained.
“More than anything, Ponca loves our tactile sessions. She simply loves to have her sides and tail scratched, her head stroked and can do this for hours. And her favorite game is “innovate”: she is happy to come up with new sounds or behavior patterns with us,” said marine mammal trainer Alexey Mukhachev.
Due to health problems and due to old age, the beluga whale does not participate in the program, lives with dolphins, loves babies very much – among trainers she is often called “everyone's grandmother” or “honorary nanny”, the press service said.
