Humpback tail drawing by Dawn NelsonWhale Release and Stranding in Newfoundland and Labrador

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Beluga/Béluga Whales


Beluga whale drawing by Dawn Nelson
Beluga whale: 4 meters; 500 kilograms

The St. Lawrence River Estuary has a population of about 300 belugas (Delphinapterus leucas). Occasionally a few from an Arctic population will wander down the Newfoundland and Labrador coast.

The beluga has no dorsal fin and is pure white. Its torpedo-shaped body has a "smiling" beaklike face and round head. Belugas swim slowly at the surface breathing a couple of times a minute. Although it is rare to sight one, belugas have shown up in recent years on the northern peninsula and in Notre Dame, Placentia and Fortune Bays (see Newfoundland map). Lennie, a female beluga, named because she arrived in the new millenium, has been interacting and visiting humans in Griquet for several seasons.

Béluga (Delphinapterus leuc)
Taille: 3 à 4,5 m, jusqu'à 5 m
Poids: 700 à 1 500 kg, jusqu'à 2 000 kg
Mode de vie: Très grégaires, ils vivent en groupe et forment parfois des troupeaux de plus de 100 individus.
Longévité: Environ 30 ans
Observations: Régulières dans l’estuaire, très rares dans le golfe en été
Notes: Il habite le Saint-Laurent pendant toute l'année. Il possède le répertoire vocal le plus varié de toutes les baleines.

Beluga photo by Sean Fitzpatrick Beluga photo by Sean Fitzpatrick
Very cute beluga whales

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