Orca born on Valentine’s Day at SeaWorld is a boy

SeaWorld San Diego announced today the sex of an orca born on Valentine’s Day.

(Flickr/jc winkler)

Little boy Shamu brings the gender count of whales at the theme park to five males and five females, according to SeaWorld, which determined the sex of the nearly week-old killer whale through DNA testing.

SeaWorld’s veterinarians and trainers are keeping a round-the-clock watch on the newborn and his mother, Kasatka, estimated to be around 37 years old.

Both appear healthy, with the offspring nursing regularly, according to a

SeaWorld spokeswoman.

The birth took place around 6:30 a.m. last Thursday in the pool at Shamu Stadium, following an 18-month gestation period.