Aquarium vet 'increasingly concerned' for health of ailing beluga

Aurora swims at the Vancouver Aquarium in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Staff at the Vancouver Aquarium say they are increasingly worried about the health of Aurora, the lone surviving beluga at the aquarium.

The animal has been receiving round the clock care since last week when Qila, its 21-year-old calf, died suddenly.

Aurora has been in a special medical pool ever since the death of the other whale and has been showing similar symptoms.

Over the weekend, staff said Aurora had been showing signs of improvement but in a Facebook post on Monday said she has started to show signs of abdominal discomfort.

Tests are being conducted and the aquarium is consulting with marine mammal experts around the world.

A cause of death for Qila hasn't been identified yet.