The last orca ever to be born at a Sea World park is going on display in San Antonio today, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Sea World says the mother, a 25 year old orca named Takara, has begun to nurse the baby calf, whose gender has yet to be determined.
"We continue to observe Takara's calf during these first critical days and weeks, and are happy that the calf is nursing on a regular basis," Sea World Vice President Chris Bellows said.
"Takara is simply a great mom, swimming with her calf at her side, creating a slipstream that enables the baby to easily glide alongside its mother."
Bellows says the calf is eating about 100 pounds of fresh fish a day, which is a normal intake for a week old baby orca.
"We are very pleased by the progress that Takara and her baby are making and excited that we are able to share the experience with our guests to observe the mother and calf.
Takara's calf is the final orca to be born at a Sea World park because she was already pregnant when Sea World announced plans to end its captive breeding program last year.
Sea World says the baby orca will be the last chance for researchers to study orca development in ways that cannot be done in the wild.
TAKARA AND CALF. COURTESY: SEA WORLD