Fascinating Beluga whales on Somerset Island (00020333)
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Description: The Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the Cunningham Inlet on Somerset Island are a fascinating natural spectacle. Every year in July and August, up to 2000 of these breathtaking marine mammals gather here to molt and shed their old skin. The Beluga, also known as the White Whale, is characterized by its bluish-white to creamy-white coloring and can grow up to six meters in length and weigh up to 1,000 kilograms. One of their most distinctive features is the absence of a dorsal fin. The young calves often have a brown, gray, or bluish coloration. Due to their acoustic repertoire, sailors used to refer to Beluga whales as the 'canaries of the sea' because their sounds could be heard even through the hulls of ships. Nowadays, more whales and dolphins die as bycatch in fishing nets than are killed by commercial whaling.
Location: Northwest Territories, Somerset Island, Canada
Date of Capture: 20.07.1996