Health Assessments of Beluga Whales in Bristol Bay, AK

Researchers stuying a Bristol Bay beluga.

Health Assessments of Beluga Whales in Bristol Bay, AK

Institute of Culture & Environment

Abstract:

Comprehensive health assessments of healthy animal populations provide important baseline data for assessing the relative health of populations at risk. The Cook Inlet population of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Alaska was listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act in 2008, but they have yet to demonstrate signs of recovery and the causes are not known. In this project we collected comprehensive health status information on the healthy and thriving population of beluga whales in Bristol Bay, Alaska in order to determine the physical and physiological parameters of a healthy population. Data from Cook Inlet belugas can then be compared in order to develop testable hypotheses regarding the failure of the Cook Inlet population to recover since their protection.

Publications

Cornick LA, Quakenbush L, Norman S, Pasi C, Maslyk P, Burek K, Goertz C, Hobbs R.. 2016. Seasonal and developmental differences in blubber stores of beluga whales in Bristol Bay, Alaska.

Norman SA, Goertz CE, Burek KA, Quakenbush LT, Cornick LA, Romano T, Spoon T, Miller WA, Beckett LA, Hobbs RC. 2012. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 48(1): 21-32.. Seasonal hematology and serum chemistry of wild beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Bristol Bay, Alaska.

Institutes