Beluga Watch

My phone has been active this spring. 

It’s because I signed up for text alerts for beluga whale sightings in the tidal areas of the Kenai River.

The text alerts come from the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Program. The data is collected by organizations, communities, and individuals and is made available to the public.

Here’s what the texts look like.

I’ve received 14 notices in less than a month.

I don’t know if that’s considered a lot because I don’t have a history with text alerts. But, I sure hope it’s a lot.

If you’re interested, the number to receive Beluga Watch text alerts is (833) 541-0408. To learn more about the organization, the link can be found here.

Background on Cook Inlet Beluga’s.

Cook Inlet has an estimated population of 320 beluga whales. Although holding steady, the numbers are down considerably since counting began in the 70’s. Subsistence harvesting, habitat degradation, disease, and predation from orca whales are reasons sited for the decline. The numbers reached a threshold that in 2008 Cook Inlet beluga whales were listed as endangered.

It’s disheartening to see the number of beluga whales decline because they are so iconic to our part of the state. To see one in their natural environment is inspiring. But, if you are a visitor and don’t see one in the wild you can always go to the Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shop in Anchorage.

Where else in the world will you see mounted beluga whales suspended from a ceiling of a retail building?

My guess is no where.