beluga whale knee. The beluga is closely related to the narwhal; they are the only two members of the Monodontidae family. beluga whale knee

 
The beluga is closely related to the narwhal; they are the only two members of the Monodontidae familybeluga whale knee  It signifies spiritual awakening, and the journey towards a more enlightened state

Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) reside year-round in the waters of Cook Inlet, Alaska, whereThe “beluga cams” go live each year as roughly 55,000 beluga whales make the trek to the shallow waters of the Hudson Bay. 54 EDT. Beluga actually means ‘the white one’ in Russian. Beluga Whale. . In summary, the beluga whale’s body is elongated and curved, with a prominent “hump”. The neck vertebrae are not fused and belugas can turn their heads from side to side. be·lu·ga / bəˈloōgə / • n. Beluga whales grow up to 16 feet (4. Browse Getty Images' premium collection of high-quality, authentic Beluga Whale stock photos, royalty-free images, and pictures. 5 and 3% of their body weight is consumed. A beluga whale — a suspected Russian spy — has reappeared after four years. Their white skin is used for camouflage, so they mix in with the ice floes. The adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Beluga Reflective builds off of the original Beluga colorway by adding reflective qualities and speckled orange accents to its Primeknit upper. She’s donated $100,000 of the Belugies NFT proceeds to beluga conservation efforts. The. The maximum adult weight reported is 3600 lbs (1633 kg). This a marine animal that’s famous for its leathery, puffed out blubber and the sturgeon’s gill cavities. 2 captive beluga whales finally freed to a seawater sanctuary in Iceland. The Beluga whale swims between two River Seine locks of Notre Dame de la Garenne in Saint-Pierre-la-Garenne, northwestern France, on Aug. Powerups. Based on maximum size, it is the third-most-massive living species of. Beluga whales are among the most cetaceans, along with species such as dolphins and killer whales. September 3, 2023 by Farha Farzana. 8 m) long and weigh 3,150 pounds (1. Despite protections that have been in place 2006, beluga whales living in the Cook Inlet region of Alaska are still declining. Since Friday, the whale has been between two locks some 70 kilometres (44 miles) north of the French capital. Since Friday, the whale has been between two locks some 70 kilometres (44 miles) north of the French capital. It is one of two extant species of the family Monodontidae (Gray, 1821), literally meaning “one tooth. Arms lay down by your sides. 1. ” The other member of this family is the narwhal (Monodon monoceros, Linnaeus, 1758) for. Q&A. Beluga Delphinapterus leucas Pallas, 1776 Order: Cetacea Suborder: Toothed whales (Odontoceti) Family: Monodontidae Genus: Belugas (DelphinfpterusLaceped. The beluga is closely related to the narwhal; they are the only two members of the Monodontidae family. S. The absence of pigmentation in their skin helps them blend into their icy surroundings. They grow up to 6. While knees on land are responsible for weight-bearing and locomotion, beluga whale knees. These. The beluga (/ b ə ˈ l uː ɡ ə /), also known as the beluga sturgeon or great sturgeon (Huso huso), is a species of anadromous fish in the sturgeon family (Acipenseridae) of order Acipenseriformes. ’. It means that beluga. Beluga Whales belong to the family Monodontidae and the genus Delphinapterus. MAY 25, 2020 (ATLANTA) – A [not-so-little] bundle of joy has arrived at Georgia Aquarium. Suspended from the roof is a spectacular display of five skeletons, including a killer whale, a beluga whale and a bottlenose dolphin. Echolocation clicks indicated foraging activity. Jetta, a young female beluga, is lifted in a sling from the transport container Friday, May 14, 2021, as staff at Mystic Aquarium welcome five new beluga whales into the Arctic Coast Exhibit. Global population estimates range between 150,000 and 200,000 beluga whales, and the IUCN estimates. - beluga whale stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Beluga whale is seen swimming up France's Seine river, near a lock in Courcelles-sur-Seine, western France on August 5, 2022. The beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) [100] is a member of whale living in the sea, famous for the pure white color of adults, earning the title “canary of the se a” by producing many. 2. Veterinarians take care of a beluga whale that was stranded in the Seine river at Notre Dame de la-Garenne, northern France, August 9, 2022. The beluga whale has 30-40 homodont (of similar size and shape), conical teeth. SeaWorld Forces Beluga Whales to Breed and Give Birth in Bathtubs. Female beluga whales travel in a separate pod to raise and care for the young. Coast Guard helicopter crew that spotted it in the afternoon swimming south just off Point Loma. “We are so proud of Whisper and overjoyed to. They are: Ferdinand (the oldest beluga whale at. Beluga whale. The beluga whale is the only species of whale that is entirely white, although it is born gray and fades gradually with age. 4. This is unlike other whale songs which are usually produced at lower pitches, in deeper. Here, a mysterious white beluga whale appeared from out of the water and proceeded to behave very strangely. They are also known as “white whales,” “melonheads,” “sea canaries ,” “belugas,” and “ canary whales. Beluga whales can live up to 50 years. Learn more about how to protect this iconic white whale. For one, they help the whale maintain its balance while swimming. 2. A beluga whale surfaces in front of a scrap-car barge in Tacoma's Commencement Bay on Oct. The endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale population declined by nearly 80 percent between 1979 and 2018, from about 1,300 whales to an estimated 279 whales. 1 ft. SEA LIFE Trust is a charity registered in England & Wales (1175859) and company limited by guarantee (10833916); both are registered at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, BH15 1LD. These highly social, gregarious animals are nicknamed "sea canaries" because of their squeals, squeaks and chirps. While the size of the beluga population in Bristol Bay is approximately 2000 individuals and has been steady or increasing [35,36,37], the population of beluga whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska, declined severely in the 1990s, attributed to unrestricted hunting by Alaska Natives [38, 39]. The sick Beluga whale wandered in the mouth of the Seine by Le Havre last week, and started heading. They grow up to 6. Beluga Whales are the smallest species of whales. June 20, 2019. They appear to always be grining. Credit: Benoit Tessier. views 1,633,346 updated May 14 2018. Adults grow to be 11–15 feet long. During the ice-free months of summertime, about two-thirds of the world’s beluga whales—about 57,000 animals, migrate to the waters around Churchill Valley and Hudson Bay in Canada. The species is characterized by the absence of a dorsal fin, a thick skin and tough dorsal ridge (used to break ice), and a rounded structure, called a melon, on the dorsal surface of the head, which. 12 Exciting facts about the Beluga Whale! 1. Long ago, scientists and sailors gave beluga whales the nickname "sea canaries," due to the birdlike sounds these whales make. The far-flung beluga was last sighted on Oct. They are easily recognizable by their distinctive white coloring,. But while watching it move, something clicked for them: That could be a beluga, an Arctic- or sub-Arctic-dwelling whale. and the females being 9. Popular Posts Help Center Reddit iOS Reddit Premium Sign Up or Log In. A beluga whale that strayed into the River Seine on Aug. While land mammals have knees, it is surprising to discover that beluga whales, being marine mammals, also possess knee joints. Instead, they have a distinctive low hump on their back. Schaeffer was an Iñupiaq kid growing up in Kotzebue, a small city in northwest Alaska, where a healthy store of beluga meat was part of making it through the winter. Many nights during the year, you may experience spectacular views of the Northern Lights. The mammal, measuring 4m (13ft), will be. 8 to 13. The eastern Beaufort Sea beluga whale population is one of the largest (approximately 40,000) in Canada (Breton and Smith 1990; Hill and DeMaster 1999). But it appears that he is headed in completely the wrong direction. The beluga whale’s closest living relative is the. Published June 15, 2017. A Beluga whale is transported at Mystic Aquarium after arriving from Canada, Friday, May 14, 2021 in Mystic, Conn. 6, 2021 at 6:05 p. Dr. Sat 6 Aug 2022 13. uk Beluga whales aren't hiding legs under their thick, rubbery skin. Belugas can dive to depths of almost 1,000. This is the estimated longevity of belugas based on the studies of zoological and wild populations of these sea creatures. The Cook Inlet beluga whale stock was estimated to number about 1,300 animals at the time the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was enacted in 1972, but it declined sharply in the 1990s. The beluga whale is considered endangered primarily due to threats caused by human activities. Females reach sexual maturity after 4-10 years, while males take 8-15 years. Beluga whales travel at an average speed of 2-6 mph (3 to 9 km/h) and are capable of short bursts of speed up to 14 mph (22 km/h). These pods consist of a varying number of individuals, ranging from only a few to several dozen animals. Adult belugas weigh 450-1,500 kilograms. Earthjustice’s work is one important step to help protect the environment of the smiling whale. They have a very prominent, bulging forehead and a short, blunt snout. Join WhatsApp Channel Join us on Telegram. Size: Larger than the size of a dolphin but smaller than a true whale, the average length of the adult beluga is 9. Lamya Essemlali. The rapid decline and dire status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale population makes it a priority for NOAA Fisheries and its partners to promote recovery to prevent extinction. Their “knees” are actually just bones that protrude from their body because of how fatty their skin is. As they grow, males can reach up to three times this length (4. The marine conservation group Sea Shepherd France. Poolside interactions include touching and feeding beluga whales and assisting trainers in communication with the whales through hand signals. The Moosonee area provides beautiful views of the Moose River, stunning sunrises, sunsets and moonrises. A beluga whale seen living in the River Thames for three months last year has almost certainly headed home, according to the Port of London Authority (PLA). Also called white whale. The protected species. Belugas are about 5 feet long at birth and weigh 90–130 pounds. Figure 4. At birth, beluga whales are 5 feet long, roughly 100 pounds, and dark blue-gray in color. Qinu, a 13 year old beluga whale, is expecting a calf this summer. m. Beluga whales are sometimes called the “canaries of the sea” because of their varied and frequent vocalizations. Belugas are usually found in pods in. Beluga whales are easily recognizable by their pure white skin, which gives them the nickname “sea canaries. It signifies spiritual awakening, and the journey towards a more enlightened state. © _. Beluga whales reach full size at about 10 years. The high, rounded forehead ends in a short, broad beak. They squeal, squeak, and chirp, which is why sailors long ago called them “sea canaries. But like the fate of many a songbird, belugas are continually exploited and held captive for human entertainment. Group size within these . 1. . The lack of a fin also allows them to travel closer to the surface sea ice 5 (source: Whale and Dolphin Conservation ) and means they can use their back to break open holes in the ice so they can breathe. 8 to 13. Because for different software, rigging and animation may have different problems. Their distinctive color and prominent foreheads make them easily identifiable. After a 30-hour journey by land, air and sea, two young. Interesting Fact #2: Adaptation for Life in the Water. A beluga whale that became stranded in France's Seine river had to be put down, ending a dramatic rescue mission that captivated world audiences. The beluga whale, sometimes known as the white whale, is an unusual-looking marine mammal. Beluga Whales have “knees” (never seen this before) From the preliminary examination, it was stated that beluga whales seldom could online greater than thirty years. The formation of these pods allows belugas to hunt, migrate, and interact with each other efficiently. A friendly beluga whale that was first observed wearing a harness four years ago and is believed to be a Russian spy reappeared in Sweden this week, puzzling scientists. A yellowish tinge can sometimes be seen on adult belugas, caused by a layer of algae growing on their skin. August 22, 2022. Destinations: Greenland, Svalbard. Cook Inlet beluga whales are a geographically and genetically distinct population that does not migrate. Hvaldimir. The beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) [100] is a member of whale living in the sea, famous for the pure white color of adults, earning the title “canary of the se a” by producing many. A similar case took San Diego by surprise a year ago, when another beluga showed up there alone and eventually disappeared. Belugas are extremely sociable mammals that live, hunt and migrate together in pods, ranging from a few individuals to hundreds of whales. Male belugas are larger than females. Every September, thousands of Alaska residents and visitors gather along the shores of Cook Inlet, joining numerous marine mammal experts from government agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, Tribes, industry, zoos, and aquaria across the country to look for, count, and learn about the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. A total of five Beluga whales from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario,Canada will be moved to the aquarium. Since the early 2000s, belugas have been declining. Their distinctive color and prominent foreheads make them easily identifiable. 96 Places. "Maybe because dolphins are like a 3-year-old child — they don't have. As an Arctic species, belugas are closely linked to sea ice and vulnerable to the effects of climate change. After all. The lack of a dorsal fin means less surface area for losing heat to the environment. Description. 8. Beluga whales live in frigid Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, but many migrate to warmer water in the summer. The hybrid whale’s combined features are completely weird, Dr. m. Bowhead whales are the largest of the three types of whales being studied on this expedition and live. Calves are born gray, but will. A beluga whale swims between two locks on the Seine river, in Notre-Dame-de-la-Garenne, northwest France, August 6, 2022. Published June 19, 2023. The whales will be leaving an overcrowded habitat with about 50 other whales and will be at the center. Their musical vocalisations are so exuberant. Beluga whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska are critically endangered. 9 Beguiling Facts About Belugas. Lawrence Estuary population between 2012 and 2019. We did whale watching in many places – California, British Columbia and the Azores in Portugal. Born dark grey, with a bluish or brownish tinge that gets lighter with age, belugas turn pure white between 5 to 12 years of age. (Video: Reuters)Diet of the Beluga Whale. This pace is much slower than most whale species; for example, orca whales can swim up to 28 mph (45 km/h). A beluga whale that turned up in Norway wearing a harness in 2019, prompting speculation it was a spy trained by the Russian navy, has reappeared off Sweden’s coast. Greg O’Corry-Crowe compared the genetics of the Point Lay belugas to other beluga stocks in Alaska and western Canada in order to learn more about the population structure, breeding patterns, and migration of animals between stocks. But, certain photos taken from a few angles show that a beluga whale has knees. After the conclusion of the Chunichisai of the Horanenya festival, there are now another three days to spend on sightseeing around the San'in Region before the final day of the festival on Sunday. Between 1994 and 1998, the stock declined by approximately 50 percent due largely to unsustainable subsistence harvesting. Follow. The male is bigger than the female. It’s like having a friend who nudges you gently towards the truth, encouraging a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around. "Beluga whales exhibit a wide range of grouping patterns from small groups of two to 10 individuals to large herds of 2,000 or more, from apparently single sex and age-class pods to mixed-age and. It is a member of a group of whales known as toothed whales. However, regulators have raised concerns about whether this activity has negative consequences on the beluga. Right: An adult beluga whale. File picture. However, these white whales are born dark gray. Beluga whales are incredibly sensitive to noise. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER, AFP via Getty Images. Volunteer monitors counted more than two dozen whales that morning from their vantage point on a bluff in Kenai. m. Adapting to life among sea ice, belugas are all white in color. , Oct. Specifically, they inhabit the Arctic Ocean and its adjoining seas. Why We Must Protect Beluga Whales. S. Beluga whales are incredibly well adapted to the Arctic environment—a five-inch-thick layer of blubber and dorsal ridge help them navigate through the harsh icy waters. Beluga whales have a wide-ranging diet that encompasses items such as crabs, shrimp, squid, clams and octopus. Defenders of Wildlife has been fighting for Cook Inlet beluga whale recovery for years. They don’t look like your typical whale, though. Thus, there is no scope for relief thinking that beluga whales are not endangered. The beluga has been nicknamed the “white whale” because, as an adult this whale, has a very distinct bright white color covering its entire body. The major issues that caused a rapid decline in their population and led them toward extinction are: 1. Male belugas can grow up to 5. One beluga in Alaska was spotted 1000km inland, swimming up. The Cook Inlet beluga whale carries much importance to people’s lives in Cook Inlet and the larger ecosystem of the Arctic. Pregnant beluga females carry their young for 14. , according to NOAA Fisheries. Belugas are extremely sociable mammals that live, hunt and migrate together in pods, ranging from a few individuals to hundreds of. Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are social animals that return to the same estuaries each summer season. S. Beluga whales hunt together herding schools of fishes in to shallow water where they are easy to eat. They prefer to live in the shallow, tidal waters of coastal bays and inlets, although they are also comfortable in the open,. The beluga is closely related to the narwhal; they are the only two members of the Monodontidae family. First discovered in Norway. Mesnick currently works on ones from eight to ten inches up to two feet. In fact, they are sometimes called 'canaries of the sea'. Instead of a dorsal fin, the beluga has a tough dorsal ridge which helps it to easily swim under ice floes. The Western Hudson Bay belugas in the Churchill River estuary appear to be attracted to boats, resulting in whale-watching being a popular tourism activity for the area. Beluga whales lack dorsal fins, but have a low dorsal ridge. Marine biologist Prof Audun Rikardsen said the harness. 7. To swim with the belugas you have two options: Join the Birds, Bears and Belugas tour with Churchill Wild. A request by one of the United States' biggest oceanariums to import 18 beluga whales caught in Russian waters has set off a maelstrom of debate over the legality and ethics of wild. It was seen in Elliott Bay and by Fox Island, the Bremerton shipyards, and the Port of Tacoma. Published 11:57 AM PST, April 29, 2019. A Perfect Day For Whale Watching From Tadoussac Quebec. New Delhi: An old video of a Beluga whale has gone viral and is doing the rounds over the Internet in which the whale can be seen trying to get a ball, which fell outside the tank. The beluga is a carnivore. Learn more. 3. Reports of adult beluga weights vary from 1000–3300 pounds. The endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale population declined by nearly 80 percent between 1979 and 2018, from about 1,300 whales to an estimated 279 whales. - beluga whale stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images beluga whale. The body of this whale is bulky. These knees are the bones that protrude from their thick fatty skin. 4 metric tons) on average. Females of the species weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds. Do Beluga Whales Have Knees? Have you ever wondered why beluga whales can appear to have knees? Well, in this video we’ll break down exactly what. After a gestation of 14 to 15 months, females give birth to babies called calves. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A beluga whale found with a tight harness that appeared to be Russian made has raised the alarm of Norwegian officials and prompted speculation that the animal may have come from a Russian military facility. 11 of the Loudest Animals on Earth. This audio sequence ends with a crunch noise. An interesting adaptation is their ability to eat jellyfish! Beluga whales have been seen hunting together for larger fish, like salmon. Environmentalists will try to move a dangerously thin beluga whale that strayed into the River Seine last week in a final attempt to save its life. Fun Facts About Beluga Whales. 1 m (20 ft) in length and weigh up to 1,361 kg (3,000 lb ). See more ideas about mole, beluga whale, baboon. 3 Kayaking with Belugas Whales. Beluga whales have slow reproductive habits. Step 6: Grab the grill tongs. They squeal, squeak, and chirp, which is why sailors long ago called them “sea. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska artist James Havens has launched a massive project featuring life-size beluga whales as a way to raise awareness for the endangered species. Geo resource failed to load. Belugas are close cousins with narwhals. It is an extremely vocal cetacean and thus has also been referred to as the ‘canary of the sea. Beluga whales are born dark gray and get lighter as they age, eventually becoming white once they’ve reached sexual maturity. Female belugas stop reproducing around 40 years old but live up to about 60 years old. The beluga recovered, left Hammerfest harbour and started feeding independently. However, regulators have raised concerns about whether. President Rich German told NPR in a phone interview that OneWhale's short-term goal is to protect Hvaldimir, "whose. They follow us so closely and seem to love the bubbles coming from the Zodiac!Photo Credit: mliu92 Location: 500 Sea World Dr. 6 tons) Length: 9 - 16 ft (3 - 5 m) Diet: Wide variety of fishes, squid, octopus, and crustaceans; Status: Cook Inlet, Alaska stock endangered; Distribution:17 Jul, 2020. Dr. Beluga whales are considered the smartest of all marine animals. After three years of filming orcas, belugas, dolphins and other whales in 24 locations, Skerry and his team have created a beautiful new four-part docuseries called "Secrets of the Whales. Belugas, along with killer whales, pilot whales, and humans, are one of the very few species that live long past their fertile age. on Sunday, May 17, 2020. By Chantal Shaffer. 10, 2022. To report a sighting of the beluga, call the Whale Sighting Network at (360) 331-3543 or toll-free at (866) ORCANET (672-2638); or you can email info@orcanetwork. A female beluga whale will have one calf every 3 or 4 years. Take a look in the shallow coastal waters of the Arctic, and you might just spot a beluga whale. 5) Belugas Make Lots of Different Sounds. Beluga whales are unlike any other whale, dolphin or porpoise. Reproduction: A female beluga is sexually mature between four and seven years old. Think that you could survive in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean? Probably not, but beluga whales have certainly found a way. Have you seen them before with knee like outline on th. Snail and Whale have lots of fun together in this colorful book! Baby Beluga – This book based on the popular song, is a great book for young readers!. Source: University of Copenhagen. . 4 - 1. They lack a dorsal fin, which allows them to maneuver under ice and surfaces. 2 percent) fall into one of four source-shape combinations: blowhole drips, blowhole bursts, blowhole streams and mouth rings. A beluga whale is shown being rolled to its new habitat in a transport cart after arriving at Mystic Aquarium, Friday, May 14, 2021 in Mystic, Conn. 4 Quicksand Close to The Shore. These studies would not have been possible without Applied Biosystems™ genetic analyzers. 2. In summary, the beluga whale’s body is elongated and curved, with a prominent “hump”. Teeth are not replaced if lost. 10, 2022, 10:55 AM UTC. The only cetacean present in the St. Beluga, a small, toothed whale found mainly in the coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas but also in rivers and deep offshore waters. In terms of food sources, the beluga whale is known to live on a diet of fish, crustaceans , krill, squid, octopus, crabs, sandworms, and other small prey. The two medium-sized toothed whales are the only members of the family Monodontidae . Oral histories recall interactions between people and whales in tribal stories, carvings, specialised language and place names. was 8 years old, his father decided it was about time he started learning to hunt beluga whales. ”. The Cook Inlet beluga whale was listed as endangered in 2008, following a steep population decline. The beluga whale (/ b ɪ ˈ l uː ɡ ə /; Delphinapterus leucas) is an Arctic and sub-Arctic cetacean. Size: Larger than the size of a dolphin but smaller than a true whale, the average length of the adult beluga is 9. Beluga whales usually mate when the water is warmer, in March or April. The beluga recovered, left Hammerfest harbour and started feeding independently. Aurek is the biggest beluga. A group of volunteer whale watchers were at Windy Corner, along Turnagain Arm, to count belugas as part of an effort to monitor the population of the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales. Just look at that form 🙄😨😰 WEIRDDDD. 2. It can take up to eight years. An ailing beluga whale that strayed into the River Seine died on Aug. Beluga Whale Conservation Length: 0:59 min. But the truth is, these fascinating creatures don’t have. Joergen Ree Wiig of the Norwegian Directorate of. 2 The Start of a Beluga Kayaking Day. NestaEric. “Mystic Aquarium delivers consistent, world-class care to all animals that. Additional comment actions. Researchers can now determine the age and sex of living beluga whales in Alaska's Cook Inlet thanks to a new DNA-based technique that uses information from small samples of skin tissue. It is one of two members of the family Monodontidae, along with the narwhal, and the only member of the genus Delphinapterus. The beluga whale is a small, toothed whale in the family Monodontidae, a family it shares with only the narwhal. 6 Beluga Whales Bump the Kayak! 7 Come to Manitoba at the RIGHT time! 8 Getting to. The bones of the hand are. Beluga Whale (Whale: Lie on your back and bend your knees so your feet are flat. 2. That’s how local whale expert Susan Berta says she feels about seeing new species exploring Puget Sound. I highly doubt massaging the beluga's melon like that is hurting it; it might sound a bit weird to the beluga since the melon acts like a "sound lens," for echolocation. Schaeffer was an Iñupiaq kid growing up in Kotzebue, a small city in northwest Alaska, where a healthy store of beluga meat was part of making it through the winter. In spring, they return to their northern feeding areas when the ice breaks up In summer, they are often found near river mouths, and sometimes even venture up river. In some, whales were a sign indicating to a tribe that it should settle in a particular place. Beluga Whale stock photos are available in a variety of sizes and formats to fit your needs. The toxic would not even damage the beluga whale. 2. The word beluga comes from the Russian word "bielo" meaning white. Occupying an extensive home range, this population. 8. A beluga whale found off Norway's coast wearing a special Russian harness was probably trained by the Russian navy, a Norwegian expert says. On June 26, whale watchers spotted a 15-foot, snow-white beluga whale off the coast of San Diego thousands of miles away from its polar element, reports.