Beluga Whale Dies In Tacoma Zoo
TACOMA - A 13-year-old beluga whale died Thursday at
the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma.
Zoo officials say the whale, named Turner, was being treated for an infection of unknown origin. He had not eaten since Saturday, and died suddenly as zookeepers were doing some procedures to keep him hydrated.
Turner came to Tacoma from the San Antonio Sea World in 1998. He had a chronic kidney condition, but zoo officials say they don't know whether that contributed to his death. A necropsy is planned to learn more about the cause of death.
Belugas are toothed whales found in arctic and sub-arctic waters. Adults are white with no dorsal fin and a blunt head. They are among the smaller whales, between 10 and 15 feet long.
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