St. Lawrence Beluga

The beluga whale has the largest vocal range of all cetaceans. Typically an Arctic dweller, this whale also lives in the St. Lawrence in a highly industrialized zone on a waterway which leads into the heart of North-America. The St. Lawrence population only numbers about 1000 individuals and shows no signs of growth.

Belugas were designated endangered species in 1983 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). In 2004, their status was changed to threatened due to new quantitative classification criteria. The designation means that they need a high level of protection.

Belugas are 3-5 metres in length and can weigh up to 2 tonnes! A very sociable animal, belugas live in groups, sometimes made up of only a small number of individuals, but which can sometimes reach around 100 whales. They live approximately 30 years. (Source: GREMM)

PHOTO: GREMM ©


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