Animal care staff at the Mystic Aquarium are working around the clock to saveInuk, a male beluga whale
, who is suffering from kidney failure. Staff say the 28-year-old beluga became sick on Friday when he seemed to lose his appetite. A blood test revealed kidney failure and a possible serious infection.
Veterinarians at the aquarium have been giving the beluga whale supplemental fluids to clear his kidneys.
"We have been in frequent contact with other facilities that house belugas, as well as leading experts in nephrology, to share information and provide the best treatment possible," said Dr. Tracy Romano, senior vice president of research and zoological operations at Sea Research.
"We are remaining hopeful that we will be able to restore him back to health," Romano added.
Inuk has been a fixture at the aquarium since 1999. He was loaned to Mystic from Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Wash., as part of an extended breeding program. Typically, belugas in captivity lived between 25 to 40 years.
