Belugas are unique white whales that lives in Arctic waters around Russia, Greenland, and North America. Belugas lack a dorsal fin, making it easy for them to swim under sea ice and out of the reach of their main predator — the orca.
Belugas are social whales that live in groups. In the summer, some beluga populations migrate to warmer, shallow waters to feed and give birth to their babies. One of these hotspots is Canada’s Churchill River. Each summer, thousands of belugas travel to this “holiday” spot, where the river flows into Hudson Bay.
Scientists have been capturing their arrival and summer activity with underwater cameras. The underwater photos will help scientists learn about beluga behavior and how to protect these awesome white whales. Through the Beluga Bits citizen science project, anyone can help identify belugas in the photos.
Watch the video to learn more!
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Footage courtesy of Polar Bears International, Explore.org, and the Beluga Bits project. Producer: Romi Castagnino.
Educator Resources
Beluga Bits in the Classroom: A classroom-friendly version of the Beluga Bits project where you can learn about beluga whales and begin your journey as a citizen scientist.
Article on Mongabay News: Saving polar bears and beluga whales: Interview with Alysa McCall
