Buzz
The beluga stands as a symbol of the ocean. Its ivory appearance is unmistakable, yet many are unaware of the whale’s extraordinary skills and its tendency to make headlines.
From mimicking human speech and sharing a rare biological trait with people to transporting military gear for surprised fishermen, belugas are more than just their charming looks. They communicate through bubbles, adopt fellow whales, and are believed to serve in some capacity within the Russian military.
10. One Swam into the Thames
Belugas are Arctic creatures, but one ventured all the way to the River Thames in the United Kingdom. Known as “Benny,” this whale became quite the sensation upon his arrival in 2018. Appearing to be a young adult who may have lost his way, Benny’s actions indicated he was in excellent health.
The beluga spent several days feeding and exploring the Thames while spectators gathered on the shores, and animal welfare groups maintained a steady watch. The Port of London Authority (PLA) also granted the whale priority on the waterway.
The PLA advised all ships and vessels to steer clear of the unusual guest. Belugas are just as comfortable in rivers as they are in the ocean, which likely explains why this one was so drawn to the Thames. In fact, Benny remained for months.
9. They Go Through Menopause
Humans and certain whale species share an intriguing similarity—menopause. Unlike most of the animal kingdom, which remains fertile throughout their lives, both narwhals and belugas were found to undergo menopause in 2018. This discovery expanded the small group of species known to experience menopause to five: humans, orcas, short-finned pilot whales, and the two newly added.
Since life revolves around reproduction, menopause remains somewhat of a mystery. Women and whales live for many years after they lose their fertility, when they could still potentially have more offspring. However, as they age, they may serve a more valuable role as grandmothers than as mothers, guiding their offspring rather than raising another of their own.
Over time, anthropologists have gathered sufficient evidence that grandmothers play a crucial role in the survival of their grandchildren. They bring wisdom and experience that younger parents may lack when raising their own young.
Orca mothers continue to provide for their adult sons, likely to help increase their sons’ chances of fathering their own offspring. Sadly, the remote habitats of belugas and narwhals make it difficult to conduct the multigenerational studies needed to determine whether their grandmothers offer similar support.
8. A Natural Place for Retirement
Little Grey and Little White were both born in captivity. For the past seven years, these belugas performed for guests at a Chinese water park. Their life in a concrete tank sparked criticism from animal rights groups.
However, releasing the two back into the ocean wasn’t a simple task. Throwing a beluga raised in captivity into the wild would almost certainly lead to its death. A conservation group, Sea Life Trust, found a solution. They pioneered a world-first initiative—a sanctuary in open waters for whales and dolphins, essentially a retirement home for animals transitioning out of show business.
Situated near Heimaey, an island in Iceland, the sanctuary is part of a local bay. In 2019, the 32,000-square-meter (344,000 ft) area became home to the belugas, marking the first retired performers. At 12 years old, they underwent survival training prior to their release, which is expected to allow them to thrive for the next 40 years in a safe environment.
7. Cat Poop Poses a Threat
Between 2009 and 2012, approximately 34 belugas died in Canada’s St. Lawrence Estuary. In 2018, researchers examined the hearts and brains of these animals. The study aimed to detect a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis. This dangerous condition affects the nervous system and has been linked to fatal cases in other whales and dolphins.
The study revealed that 15 of the belugas were infected. T. gondii is a prevalent cat parasite known for its ability to spread to various species, usually through contact with feline waste. Marine animals living near freshwater inflows, such as the St. Lawrence pod, are believed to be at a higher risk of contracting the parasite.
Many people dispose of their cat’s litter by flushing it down the toilet. The parasite is resistant to sewage treatment and ends up flowing downstream into the ocean. Though T. gondii has been identified as the cause of death for monk seals and sea otters, researchers could not confirm if it was responsible for the 15 belugas' deaths.
6. Beluga Bubbles
At Marineland of Canada, researchers spent eight years observing 44 belugas. Their goal? To uncover the whales' most playful behavior. Belugas are known for blowing bubbles, and the variety of bubbles they produce suggests it may be a form of communication.
Bubble blowing has been rarely spotted in the wild and never compared to the behavior of aquarium belugas. While captivity may influence communication, here's what researchers have uncovered so far.
Certain types of bubbles seem to indicate specific emotional states. Female belugas tend to be more playful and frequently release bubble rings or a gentle stream of tiny bubbles. One of their most impressive feats is creating a large bubble ring, often swimming through it.
At Marineland, belugas aim water jets at the rings or swat them with their tails. Bubbles appear to serve as both a means of communication and a form of entertainment. However, when the whales feel threatened, they expel bubbles forcefully from their blowholes as a clear signal to stay away.
Some bubble patterns remain a mystery. Researchers are still puzzled as to why male belugas swim side by side while releasing a continuous stream of bubbles.
5. The Honorary Beluga
In 2018, researchers visited the St. Lawrence River in Canada to study the social behavior of belugas. They were expecting to observe a pod of 50–60 whales, which was thought to be mostly male or a bachelor group.
What the scientists didn’t anticipate was the appearance of a young male narwhal. This species is known for its unicorn-like tusk. Despite his distinct dark gray body and foreign nature, the belugas seemed to have accepted the narwhal, even playing games with him. The narwhal, normally found 965 kilometers (600 mi) north of the river, appeared to be part of their group.
Narwhals have distinctive markings on their bodies. Upon examining the patches and scratches of this particular one, the researchers realized it was the same narwhal that had interacted with the St. Lawrence pod in 2016 and 2017. This ongoing relationship is exceptional, as belugas and narwhals typically do not engage with each other in the wild. When their paths cross, the encounter is usually brief and forgotten.
4. The Dolphin-Speaking Beluga
In 2013, a group of dolphins at the Dolphinarium Koktebel in Crimea experienced a shock. Their tank’s newest inhabitant, a beluga, made a lasting impression. Her white appearance startled the bottlenose dolphins, but what unsettled them more was her peculiar sound. The dolphins couldn’t understand “beluga,” and the beluga couldn’t speak “dolphin.”
However, things changed swiftly. The beluga soon adapted and was accepted by the group. Within two months, she was whistling like a dolphin. During that time, she abandoned her own native calls and sounds, even adopting “signature whistles,” which serve as names among dolphins.
This remarkable transformation highlights the beluga’s incredible mimicking ability and her social nature. While researchers remain uncertain about how much of the dolphin language the beluga truly comprehended versus simply imitating, it was evident that the dolphins embraced their pale companion, though they made no effort to adopt her original language.
3. The Russian Agent
In 2019, fishermen off the coast of Norway encountered an unexpected visitor. A solitary beluga whale approached their boats in an unusually calm manner. However, what really left them puzzled wasn’t its friendly behavior—it was the harness the whale was wearing, resembling one a dog would have for a walk.
Before long, the whale’s actions became consistent. It would search for humans and then attempt to rub the harness against their boat, seemingly trying to remove it. The fishermen called in marine biologists, who enticed the whale closer with some tasty cod fillets.
While the whale enjoyed its snack, a diver successfully removed the harness. It was equipped with a camera mount and bore the words “Equipment of St. Petersburg.” The Norwegian team consulted with their Russian colleagues, who suggested that it was likely a project connected to the Russian military.
Indeed, the Russian government has been known to explore the use of marine mammals for military purposes, such as guarding bases, neutralizing threats, and assisting divers. It’s believed that this particular whale had managed to escape from one of these facilities.
2. The Amazing Noc
Picture this: you're diving at the National Marine Mammal Foundation in San Diego, and then someone tells you to exit the tank. However, the only voice nearby belongs to a beluga named Noc. This event occurred in 1984, when researchers began hearing what sounded like “human conversation” coming from the area housing dolphins and whales.
After further investigation, the researchers were able to identify the word “out,” and it became clear that the vocalizations were coming from Noc. He had apparently learned a few words by eavesdropping on the staff’s conversations.
Encouraged by treats, Noc repeated his human-like sounds into a recorder. The subsequent analysis uncovered some fascinating details. To produce these sounds, Noc had to use vocal techniques not typically employed by whales. He adjusted the air pressure in his nasal passages, manipulated lip-like valves, and even overinflated air sacs beneath his blowhole.
The researchers had never encountered anything like it. Noc’s vocal rhythm resembled a human’s, which was highly unusual for a whale. Belugas are known for their mimicry and are often referred to as the “canaries of the sea.” Still, Noc’s vocal ability was extraordinary.
1. The Whale Jail
Belugas' rarity and captivating beauty make them highly sought after by aquariums. Unfortunately, not all of these acquisitions happen through ethical means. A recent discovery revealed an illegal facility on the coast of Russia, where over 100 whales were held captive, including 11 orcas and around 90 belugas, all poached from the wild.
It was reported that the animals were being prepared for transport to Chinese theme parks, which is a blatant violation of international law. Footage of the cramped and deplorable enclosures quickly went viral, sparking widespread outrage across the globe.
Despite the efforts of environmentalists, drones, and media attention monitoring the situation, an orca and three belugas mysteriously disappeared. Many feared that they had perished due to the harsh overcrowded conditions in the facility.
The Russian authorities have reached an agreement with two environmental organizations to restore and release the remaining whales. This process will require a methodical approach, as many of these whales are still quite young.
While the groups involved are fully committed to the rehabilitation effort, they emphasize that the persistent demand from the black market for belugas and orcas remains a significant hurdle. This is unsurprising, considering that a single killer whale can be worth as much as $6 million.
