Fauna Journal Entry

Cook Inlet Beluga Population Drops (October 26, 2009)

The beluga whale population in Alaska's Cook Inlet is dropping. A recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) survey counted only 321 whales in the inlet. That's a big drop from the 375 animals counted last year. At that time, belugas were placed on the U.S. endangered species list to get better protection. The beluga population in Cook Inlet is less than half what it was only fifteen years ago.

Biologists say hunting by native tribes is one reason for the decline. Oil drilling in the area is another problem. Drilling noise interferes with their sonar, which the whales rely on for navigation and communication. Waste water created by drilling contaminates beluga habitat. Boat traffic, pollution, commercial fishing, and orca attacks all help lower the whales' odds of survival.

Belugas are also called white whales because of their all-white color. They grow to lengths of up to 15 feet (5 meters). The whales have a distinctive looking, rounded head that features a melon, fatty tissue in the middle of the forehead.