Beluga Whale - WWF Arctic Programme

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Beluga whale

Beluga whales are extremely sociable mammals that live, hunt and migrate together in pods, ranging from a few individuals to hundreds of whales. They are sometimes also called white whales, as well as Indigenous names, including Sisuaq by the Inupiat and Kooyedyee by the Tlingit.

Beluga whale facts

Scientific name Delphinapterus leucas

Weight Up to 1500 kg

Length 3.5 to 5.5 m

Lifespan Up to 80 years

Population There are an estimated 136,000 mature beluga whales in the wild

IUCN Red List status Least concern (2017)

Belugas are often called the canaries of the sea. They are highly vocal and produce a series of chirps, clicks, whistles and squeals to convey important information to each other.

Along with bowhead whales and narwhals, beluga whales are one of the three whales that live only in Arctic waters. They are adapted to the icy cold waters of the Arctic and lack a fin on their back, a dorsal fin. Scientists think that beluga could have evolved without a dorsal fin for good reasons – it makes diving under sea ice easier and helps to reduce heat loss. Instead of a dorsal fin, belugas have a dorsal ridge that is used to break thin sea ice.

Illustration comparing the size of a beluga whale to a human.

Illustration: Ketill Berger, [email protected] / © WWF Global Arctic Programme

Threats to beluga whales

Recent studies have found that beluga whales live as long as 80 years. But climate change and human activity are changing the Arctic at an unprecedented rate. These changes have implications for beluga whale populations and their habitats.

Climate change

As climate change continues to warm the Arctic reduce the amount of sea ice, orcas have been spotted in beluga whale habitats. Orcas are a major predator of all three Arctic whale species, including belugas. Less sea ice means less protection from predators.

Shipping and underwater noise

In many parts of the Arctic, beluga whales avoid ship traffic. Underwater noise produced by shipping and other human activities, such as industry, have an impact on beluga whales. This makes it difficult for belugas to communicate with each other and as a result impacts their ability to feed, mate and other important life events.

Pollution

In some parts of the Arctic, beluga whales have been impacted by industrial pollution. For example, the St. Lawerence River in Canada, some beluga whales have been made sick by heavy metals and other pollutants found in the water. There are also health risks for belugas associated with Arctic oil and gas development and mining.

What is WWF doing for beluga whales?

White / Beluga whale pod (Delphinapterus leucas) migrating through sea ice, Arctic Canada. Aerial — © naturepl.com / Doug Allan / WWF

Arctic blue corridors

Like all whales, beluga whales do not recognize borders. WWF is advocating for whales to have the space to migrate between different habitats important for their survival. WWF is calling on Arctic states, the Arctic Council, International Maritime Organization, World Shipping Council, shipping industry and shipping companies for action to give migrating whales space to adapt to the rapidly changing Arctic Ocean and make their blue corridors safe from risks and impacts caused by shipping.

Learn more about Arctic blue corridors

ArcNet

ArcNet, an Arctic Ocean Network of Priority Areas for Conservation, is a readymade framework that outlines key areas for conservation across the entire Arctic Ocean. By designing a network of priority areas, ArcNet helps strengthen the resilience of Arctic biodiversity – providing space for beluga and other whales to live.

Our goal is to ensure the protection of 30 per cent of the Arctic Ocean by creating a network of Protected and Conserved Areas. This framework, complete with a map, a guide, tools and methods will help Arctic nations fulfill their commitments.

Discover ArcNet

Advocating for the complete phase-out of fossil fuels

In the absence of stronger climate policies, oil and gas production in the Arctic region is expected to continue to rise until at least the late 2030s or early 2040s. WWF advocates against new oil and gas projects, and for existing ones to be phased out. We work to minimize the impact of the extractive sectors and linear infrastructure and advocate for a just transition to a nature-based economy that focuses on creating green jobs in locally run projects.