Ref Sheet - Unalaq

My first beluga OC, originally designed way back in 2005, and seldom seen since. I've revived her!

Name: Unalaq ("ooh-nah-lauc"; "Nala" for short; Inuit word that means "west wind")
Species: Delphinapterus leucas / Beluga whale
Gender: Female
Age: 3
Appearance: 9'0" ft. long, 400 lbs. Still retains a medium-gray shade to her skin that has not yet faded to white. Mottled flukes. Boxy-shaped melon. Blue eyes.
Personality: Although young, Unalaq is extremely independent, as she was weaned fairly early. Most belugas are known to be slow swimmers, but not her. She is a very active beluga who loves visitors and speed swimming about, rather than resting in place between sessions/demos. But she isn't always very attentive to her trainers and gets distracted easily. Early familiarization with other waterwork-certified belugas has given her a general idea as to how to behave with trainers in the water.
Her sociability around other belugas is another story. In keeping with her independent nature and greater love for human company than her own, she isn't easily coached into games or other activities her tankmates engaged in. She shows little interest in enrichment objects, and tends to loiter around viewing windows in her spare time.
History: Unalaq was born to parents who were originally taken from the seas off of western Russia some ten years ago. Far from being the first captive-born beluga at her home aquarium, she was the third calf born into a group of seven. Her mother, Shale, took to her role as a parent with an adequate amount of effort, but the two did not become overly attached to one another. While Unalaq's original exhibit could comfortably house eight adult beluga whales, it was decided that Nala be sold once she had learned to accept solid food and mastered most basic husbandry behaviors.

Tankmates:


Best Of Unalaq: