Vancouver Aquarium: Martin Haulena

Beluga Whales Dept: VANCOUVER - The matriarch of the Vancouver Aquarium's beluga whales likely died of cancer, officials at the facility said Tuesday, ending a long life in captivity that saw Kavna swim for millions of visitors and inspire the popular children's song "Baby Beluga.", according to Winnipeg Free Press. Aquarium veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena said a necropsy uncovered a series of lesions and tumours. Some were benign and others were more serious and acute, likely the result of a recent and quickly spreading cancer, he said and kavna the beluga whale is shown in a handout photo. A veterinarian at the Vancouver Aquarium says Kavna, the facility's eldest beluga whale, appears to have died of cancer associated with old age.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO Vancouver Aquarium-Margaret Butschler The hulking, white mammal, which at approximately 46 was the oldest of the aquarium's three whales, died a day earlier after several weeks of declining health. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.