Post by Die Fledermaus on Apr 11, 2004 7:53:35 GMT -4
I saw her many times at the Aquarium in Coney Island. 
RIP Kathy
>> New York Daily News - www.nydailynews.com
R.I.P. Kathy
By BILL FARRELL
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Saturday, April 10th, 2004
Kathy the beluga whale, beloved by children and one of Coney Island's most popular attractions, died at her home at the New York Aquarium after a long illness. She was 34.
"It's a very sad day," said Dr. Paul Boyle, the director of the aquarium where Kathy thrilled visitors for more than three decades.
According to Boyle, Kathy was not only the oldest beluga whale he'd ever encountered, but she was the first beluga whale to give birth in captivity - and she did it twice.
The half-ton mammal, who was captured in Canadian Arctic waters at about age 2 in 1971, had been ill for several months. The aquarium, run by the World Conservation Society, which also operates the Bronx Zoo, said she was "humanely euthanized" Thursday.
"She developed a bacterial infection about a year ago and that, combined with her age, led us to make the decision," Boyle said.
He said society staff and aquarium trainers had made "extraordinary efforts" to hand-feed her and nurse her back to health. He noted that belugas usually live less than 30 years in the wild.
Beluga whales range in length from 13 to 17 feet and on average weigh in at a hefty 3,300 pounds.
Kathy gave birth to Neck1 (pronounced Nicky and short for New York City's First) at the Brooklyn aquarium in 1981. The baby beluga survived for eight days.
"That in itself is quite remarkable because even in the wild the survival rate for the first-born among whales is very low," Boyle said.
Ten years later, Kathy gave birth to a second calf, this one named Casey, who lived for eight years.
When she arrived in Coney Island in 1971, Kathy was an instant hit with visitors.
"Beluga whales are always popular because of their odd look and fluid way they move through the water," Boyle said. "They are also very social animals."
For that reason, the aquarium is concerned about Kathy's swimming companion and for now its lone beluga, a 19-year-old named Marina.
"Two of our other belugas are on loan for a breeding program at the aquarium in Mystic, Conn., so Marina is now here alone," said Boyle. "We don't know if we'll move her up to Mystic or bring others in from the West Coast."
As for Kathy, Boyle said she will be missed.
"She lived a tremendously long life by beluga standards and she's been here a long time. Everyone here is saddened. It was a difficult decision, but she went gently and quietly." <<
RIP Kathy
>> New York Daily News - www.nydailynews.com
R.I.P. Kathy
By BILL FARRELL
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Saturday, April 10th, 2004
Kathy the beluga whale, beloved by children and one of Coney Island's most popular attractions, died at her home at the New York Aquarium after a long illness. She was 34.
"It's a very sad day," said Dr. Paul Boyle, the director of the aquarium where Kathy thrilled visitors for more than three decades.
According to Boyle, Kathy was not only the oldest beluga whale he'd ever encountered, but she was the first beluga whale to give birth in captivity - and she did it twice.
The half-ton mammal, who was captured in Canadian Arctic waters at about age 2 in 1971, had been ill for several months. The aquarium, run by the World Conservation Society, which also operates the Bronx Zoo, said she was "humanely euthanized" Thursday.
"She developed a bacterial infection about a year ago and that, combined with her age, led us to make the decision," Boyle said.
He said society staff and aquarium trainers had made "extraordinary efforts" to hand-feed her and nurse her back to health. He noted that belugas usually live less than 30 years in the wild.
Beluga whales range in length from 13 to 17 feet and on average weigh in at a hefty 3,300 pounds.
Kathy gave birth to Neck1 (pronounced Nicky and short for New York City's First) at the Brooklyn aquarium in 1981. The baby beluga survived for eight days.
"That in itself is quite remarkable because even in the wild the survival rate for the first-born among whales is very low," Boyle said.
Ten years later, Kathy gave birth to a second calf, this one named Casey, who lived for eight years.
When she arrived in Coney Island in 1971, Kathy was an instant hit with visitors.
"Beluga whales are always popular because of their odd look and fluid way they move through the water," Boyle said. "They are also very social animals."
For that reason, the aquarium is concerned about Kathy's swimming companion and for now its lone beluga, a 19-year-old named Marina.
"Two of our other belugas are on loan for a breeding program at the aquarium in Mystic, Conn., so Marina is now here alone," said Boyle. "We don't know if we'll move her up to Mystic or bring others in from the West Coast."
As for Kathy, Boyle said she will be missed.
"She lived a tremendously long life by beluga standards and she's been here a long time. Everyone here is saddened. It was a difficult decision, but she went gently and quietly." <<
