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Beluga Tuvaq's death remains a mystery

The Province

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Aquarium officials still have no idea what killed Tuvaq, the beluga whale that would have turned three yesterday.

Spokeswoman Brenda Jones said the latest blood-test results failed to indicate the cause of death. Results of a necropsy performed Sunday, the day the whale died, also failed to reveal the cause. Tests to detect viral and fungal infections will take time, Jones said.

"It still could be a good three weeks before we know, if we know," she said. "It's not easy on staff to not know."

Staff are also awaiting results of tests performed on beluga Allua before going ahead with plans to ship her to SeaWorld San Diego on an indefinite breeding loan at the end of the month.
© The Vancouver Province 2005