Aquarium beluga Inuk is stable

Mystic — Mystic Aquarium announced this afternoon that Inuk, its male beluga whale that had gone into kidney failure, is now in stable condition.

The aquarium said his improvement was the result of the round-the-clock care he has received from the aquarium’s animal care staff and volunteers along with employees and volunteers from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary First District Southern Regional Marine Safety Department and Mystic Seaport.

"We are deeply appreciative of the assistance we have received from hundreds of dedicated individuals, including aquarium and community volunteers, experts in nephrology and staff from other facilities that house belugas," said Tracy Romano, senior vice president of research and zoological operations at Sea Research. "Their help has allowed us to continue providing the highest level of care for Inuk."

On Jan. 29, the 28-year-old Inuk began showing a lack of interest in food. A blood test revealed a possible acute infection complicated by kidney failure. Since then Inuk has been given supplemental fluids in an effort to clear his kidneys.

Inuk came to Mystic in 1999 on an extended breeding loan from the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Wash.