Beluga Whale Has Adorable Reaction to Proposal at Georgia Aquarium: See the Heartwarming Video (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Gavin Hulberg proposes to Olivia Walsh as a beluga whale named Qinu reacts.Photo:Courtesy of Olivia Walsh

Courtesy of Olivia Walsh

A beluga whale has gone viral for its adorable reaction to a proposal that took place near its aquarium.Thanks to a 16-year-old female beluga whale named Qinu, Olivia Walsh and Gavin Hulberg’s engagement atGeorgia Aquariumon Wednesday, Dec. 18, will be a moment they cherish forever.“The most perfect proposal I could’ve asked for 🥹🩷,” Walsh titled her proposal video on TikTok, which currently has more than 7 million views and 2 million likes.In the video, Walsh and Hulberg pose in front of the beluga whale exhibit for a picture, when suddenly Hulberg gets down on one knee to propose, prompting onlookers to gasp and burst with “aahs.” Even Qinu looked just as surprised — her jaw dropped at the exact moment Hulberg pulled out a diamond engagement ring.Aquarium-goers began cheering as Walsh covered her face in shock. After she said “yes,” she hugged her fiancé tightly as Qinu seemingly smiled in the background before spinning and swimming away.In her caption, the bride-to-be said she has been a beluga whale training intern for the past three months. Her supervisor exclusively tells PEOPLE that Hulberg reached out to another beluga whale training team member to “help get something special figured out for her.““Being a beluga whale training intern at Georgia Aquarium entails a lot of teaching the animals to participate in their own voluntary health care, for research, guest programs, and for mental and physical stimulation. There are currently five beluga whales at Georgia Aquarium and training is done with all of them!” Katie Lorenz, associate curator of mammals and birds, and mammals and birds intern supervisor at Georgia Aquarium, tells PEOPLE.She further notes: “Qinu’s behavior at the window was her own — she was not intentionally trained to have any type of ‘reaction.’ “Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Gavin Hulberg and Olivia Walsh hug as a beluga whale named Qinu watches.Courtesy of Olivia WalshCommenters on TikTok loved Qinu’s genuine heartfelt response and shocked expression to the proposal.“Beluga has to be invited to the wedding 🥹,” the official Play-Doh account commented under the video.“The beluga NEEDS to officiate the wedding now,” someone else wrote, with another TikToker adding, “The beluga has to be a bridesmaid at this point.“There have been similar proposals set up at the aquarium before, but only for staff members. To see Qinu and other cute beluga whales, visit Georgia Aquarium orwatch their live beluga whale webcam. Fans can also follow @GeorgiaAquarium onTikTokandInstagramfor more behind-the-scenes moments.

A beluga whale has gone viral for its adorable reaction to a proposal that took place near its aquarium.

Thanks to a 16-year-old female beluga whale named Qinu, Olivia Walsh and Gavin Hulberg’s engagement atGeorgia Aquariumon Wednesday, Dec. 18, will be a moment they cherish forever.

“The most perfect proposal I could’ve asked for 🥹🩷,” Walsh titled her proposal video on TikTok, which currently has more than 7 million views and 2 million likes.

In the video, Walsh and Hulberg pose in front of the beluga whale exhibit for a picture, when suddenly Hulberg gets down on one knee to propose, prompting onlookers to gasp and burst with “aahs.” Even Qinu looked just as surprised — her jaw dropped at the exact moment Hulberg pulled out a diamond engagement ring.

Aquarium-goers began cheering as Walsh covered her face in shock. After she said “yes,” she hugged her fiancé tightly as Qinu seemingly smiled in the background before spinning and swimming away.

In her caption, the bride-to-be said she has been a beluga whale training intern for the past three months. Her supervisor exclusively tells PEOPLE that Hulberg reached out to another beluga whale training team member to “help get something special figured out for her.”

“Being a beluga whale training intern at Georgia Aquarium entails a lot of teaching the animals to participate in their own voluntary health care, for research, guest programs, and for mental and physical stimulation. There are currently five beluga whales at Georgia Aquarium and training is done with all of them!” Katie Lorenz, associate curator of mammals and birds, and mammals and birds intern supervisor at Georgia Aquarium, tells PEOPLE.

She further notes: “Qinu’s behavior at the window was her own — she was not intentionally trained to have any type of ‘reaction.’ "

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Gavin Hulberg and Olivia Walsh hug as a beluga whale named Qinu watches.Courtesy of Olivia Walsh

Commenters on TikTok loved Qinu’s genuine heartfelt response and shocked expression to the proposal.

“Beluga has to be invited to the wedding 🥹,” the official Play-Doh account commented under the video.

“The beluga NEEDS to officiate the wedding now,” someone else wrote, with another TikToker adding, “The beluga has to be a bridesmaid at this point.”

There have been similar proposals set up at the aquarium before, but only for staff members. To see Qinu and other cute beluga whales, visit Georgia Aquarium orwatch their live beluga whale webcam. Fans can also follow @GeorgiaAquarium onTikTokandInstagramfor more behind-the-scenes moments.

source: people.com