By MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press
SEWARD, Alaska (AP) — Marine mammal specialists from across the country are at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward to help care for a baby beluga whale that became separated from its mother shortly after its birth.
The male calf is under 24-hour care, being fed by a stomach tube while learning how to suckle from a bottle.
Staff members say the calf is currently doing well, but the big worry is its under-developed immune system since it never had any of its mother's milk.
[PHOTOS: The 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.]
Personnel from aquariums in Atlanta, Chicago and San Diego are helping care for the whale.
The whale was estimated to be 2 days old when it was found in Alaska's Bristol Bay on June 18.
Federal officials will eventually decide where the animal is placed.
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