No one knows the reason why a large white whale is swimming in the Pacific Ocean off Seattle.
People in Seattle have seen the white whale swim around Puget Sound over the past week. A beluga, a wayward cetacean, is usually found in Arctic and subarctic water.
Howard Garrett, cofounder of Orca Network (a non-profit that promotes awareness about the whales in Puget Sound), stated that Cook Inlet, Alaska is the closest beluga population. It is approximately 1,500 miles (2.400 km) from Seattle. "I haven’t checked the water temperatures there but I’m sure they are a bit cooler up there than here."
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Jason Rogers from Bonney Lake in Washington filmed the white whale swimming near Tacoma on Sunday, Oct. 3. This is about 30 miles (50km) south of Seattle.
Rogers said in an email that "it was a surreal encounter, to be certain." "Sailing in Commencement bay was the last place that we expected to see a whale, let alone a beluga!" It was there, swimming peacefully along, even though it felt strangely out of place.
Others spotted the delphinapterus leucas (beluga) in Puget Sound. They were even seen swimming by three shipyards. Garrett stated that he didn't get the attraction of a shipyard to belugas. "I don’t know if it’s a clue, or if it means it had been held captive in a shipyard somewhere at busy ports, but we don’t have any documents, no idea where that would be.
Live Science reported that a beluga wearing a harness reading "Equipment of St. Petersburg" was sighted in Norwegian waters in 2019. This whale was believed to have been a Russian spy. According to BBC, the beluga nicknamed Hvaldimir is still swimming in Scandinavian waters. Animal welfare activists fear it might not be able hunt on its own and may have to avoid humans.
There are no clues to the origins of this newfound beluga. Garrett stated that he has not seen any markings or indications of its origins.
Somerset Island, Canadian High Arctic photographed a beluga whale (not Seattle visitor). Image credit: David Merron Photography via Getty Images
According to the Georgia Aquarium, belugas are white like other Arctic and subarctic animal species. This helps them blend in with snow and sea ice. The unique "melons" that are found on the heads of belugas make them able to communicate and echolocate. Garrett explained that belugas are social animals and can live in groups of up to 100 individuals. This makes the lonely whale's journey even more mysterious.
So why did the whale set out on its own to explore?
Garrett stated, "Until we get some indication, I think that this whale decided to walk and explore." It wanted to travel. Although it's rare, it does happen with other [beluga] populations. It's certainly not uncommon, but it is very rare.
Garrett stated that the last time a Puget Sound beluga whale was seen was in 1940. He also noted that there was a report of a Puget Sound beluga sighting in 2010 but it was only one person who saw it and couldn't get any photographic evidence.
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According to The Mercury News, in 2020, a dead beluga whale washed up in Baja California Sur (Mexico). It is still unknown why the whale traveled to such warm waters. Garrett stated, "I don’t know why a Beluga would do that."
Despite this, it appears that the Puget Sound beluga is in good health. He said that belugas eat small fish, crabs, and squid. Garret stated that Puget Sound also hosts other whale species, such as transient and resident orcas, migrating gray whales (humpback and minke), and resident and transient orcas.
Local whale and other animal groups are aware that the beluga is missing. The NOAA branch in the area hopes to approach the whale safely to take images. Garrett stated that such images could be compared to photos of other beluga whales and may help scientists determine where the Puget Sound visitor is from.
You can report sightings of the beluga by calling the Whale Sighting Network at 360-331-3543 or toll free at (866 ORCANET (672 2338) or emailing info@orcanetwork.org. Whale Wise recommends that you keep your distance from cetaceans. They are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Original publication on Live Science
