Alaska's beluga whale added to endangered list

by poolparty | October 17, 2008 at 08:59 am

691 views | 4 Recommendations | 23 comments

A737 - Beluga Whale, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago - 24th august

The beluga whale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet has been put on the Endangered Species list by the federal government today. Ironically, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin questions if the whale is in fact endangered.

The federal government has declared that the beluga whale in Alaska's Cook Inlet is endangered and will require additional protection to survive.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration put the whale under the protection of the federal Endangered Species Act on Friday.

It says the whale's population declined by 50 per cent between 1994 and 1998 and "is still not recovering."

The findings by NOAA's National Marines Fisheries Service conflict with claims by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who has questioned scientific evidence that the beluga whale population in the waters near Anchorage continues to decline.

Palin, Republican presidential nominee John McCain's running mate, has strongly objected to the federal government's possible declaration of the whale as endangered.

The Cook Inlet beluga is one of five beluga whale populations in Alaska waters but the only one considered endangered.

It said that recovery of the beluga whale has been hindered by development and a range of economic and industrial activities including those related to oil and gas exploration in the Cook Inlet, which lies between the Alaska and Kenai peninsulas.

The Interior Department has proposed making available oil leases in the Cook Inlet as early as next year and in 2011, saying the waters have an estimated $1.38 billion worth of energy resources. Protection of the whale could hinder some of those activities.

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amyjudd

at 09:37 on October 17th, 2008

Another animal on the list... that's so sad.

An important story though.

Terri Potratz

at 10:19 on October 17th, 2008

Palin questions whether it's endangered? Sounds a whole lot like the polar bear fiasco, whereby Alaskans are skeptical as to whether that species is endangered as well...

Nikki and Jason

at 16:53 on October 17th, 2008

I pray that for the sake of our Earth she does not become VP. She supports the wolf hunts, wants to drill on caribou breeding grounds, and caribou are not the only animal that calls that land home, she approved dumping of toxins into Cook Inlet. This population has been in trouble for awhile now and as long as people don't become aware Alaska's wildlife and land is in serious trouble.

amyjudd

at 17:11 on October 17th, 2008

I am in agreement with you on the environmental issue.

Angelato23

at 17:46 on October 17th, 2008

Belugas are just beautiful

Angelato23 has contributed a photo to this story.

Sputnic

at 00:29 on October 18th, 2008

Good stuff, sure people wont be stupid enough to vote for the Republicans, not again?

Cherubtree

at 05:39 on October 18th, 2008

Beautiful Beluga whale taken 2008 at Seaworld in San Diego, Ca, Photography by Valerie S. Jaarsma

Cherubtree has contributed a photo to this story.

Cherubtree

at 07:11 on October 18th, 2008

Beluga whales are so beautiful I feel such a spiritual connection to them. It breaks my heart to hear they are endangered and if my photo can help raise awareness to their protection, I am very honored. Thankyou. Cherub

TNAustad

at 09:36 on October 18th, 2008

This Beluga (now at the Georgia Aquarium) was rescued from a theme park in Mexico, I think the guide said, where the pool was situated right underneath a roller-coaster.

TNAustad has contributed a photo to this story.

geoffer814

at 10:18 on October 18th, 2008

This is Nico, Maris, and Natasha, taken at the Georgia Aquarium on October 1, 2008. Nico is in the foreground.

geoffer814 has contributed a photo to this story.

olaya

at 11:20 on October 18th, 2008

that's sad but at least I hope thinks start to change for this beautiful animals

picantico

at 11:22 on October 18th, 2008

picantico has contributed a photo to this story.

Ryie (not verified)

at 13:30 on October 18th, 2008

Bless you Cherubtree for helping to bring this beautiful creature into the spotlight!!! Palin....UGH.

deegee (not verified)

at 17:34 on October 18th, 2008

The Alasks Beluga is in danger of extinction,which is a pity.Palin is not in danger of extinction,which is also a pity!

Nikki and Jason

at 18:16 on October 18th, 2008

HAHA, look at the recent polls she will soon fade away back to where she came from, she will get nailed for something. Look what she did to her brother in law

Ecofotos - Adilson Moralez

at 09:19 on October 19th, 2008

I hope that this picture, which I took at Vancouver aquarium could help to save this incredible whale.

Ecofotos - Adilson Moralez has contributed a photo to this story.

kittyfeliz

at 10:17 on October 19th, 2008

kittyfeliz has contributed a photo to this story.

JessicaPope

at 05:22 on October 20th, 2008

Beluga whales are magnificent. I was at the Atlanta Aquarium for a concert and the beluga whales viewing area is in the ballroom so you can watch the whales. I swear they were dancing, those wonderful smiles on their serene faces. And they were making tons of noise...
Such incredible animals, it's so terrible that they are endangered...

JessicaPope has contributed a photo to this story.

jubilee4

at 06:01 on October 20th, 2008

The Beluga Whale is such a peaceful animal, and it's always so relaxing to watch them swim and play. I can't imagine that anyone in this day and age would want to hurt them. We need to do what everything we can to get them off this list.

littlenoodlebrain

at 08:44 on October 22nd, 2008

This picture was taken at Marineland in Ontario, Canada. They have several beluga whales at their park, most of which are young.
They are bright, cheerful creatures that loved the adoration of the park visitors.

littlenoodlebrain has contributed a photo to this story.