Belugas are by nature friendly and this one is reportedly no different than the norm. Due to the rarity of a beluga living on its own, marine biologist Andrew Reid of The Marine Animal Rescue Society said the whale is likely the same one seen there in late May.
Reid told media he is concerned because living close to humans, which belugas do not normally do, means it could be hit by a boat and badly injured or killed. They have asked boaters to stay away from the area of Liverpool Harbour where the whale has been residing the past week or more.
This morning (Friday) Reid went out with officials from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to try and obtain a small skin and blubber sample from the beluga. Such a sample is necessary, he said, noting that among other things it will tell them where the whale is from and if it is a part of the endangered population in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Reid said obtaining the sample would not “have any adverse effect on the animal” and given how friendly this beluga has already shown itself to be, obtaining the sample should not be difficult, not under normal circumstances. However, rough seas prevented the group from getting the samples today, but they will try again.
If the solitary beluga whale is not from the St. Lawrence, it likely came from the Arctic.
