Officials at SeaWorld are preparing for the final birth of an orca whale at one of its parks. The statement came Tuesday from the Orlando-based company that the calf will be born at SeaWorld San Antonio in the next four to six weeks.
The mother, 25-year-old Takara, was already pregnant when SeaWorld announced last year that it was ending its orca breeding program. The gestation period for orcas is approximately 18 months.
More than two dozen orcas will remain on display for decades at SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, but the birth of Takara's calf will be the last opportunity for visitors and marine scientists to see a baby orca up close.
Officials say Takara and the calf will be monitored by a St. Mary's University research team.