Bubulle
Beluga
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ID number
DL0743
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Sex
Male
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Year of birth
Before 1980
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Known Since
1992
Distinctive Traits
Bubulle can be recognized by its small scar under the dorsal crest on the left side. A little in front of it, we see a small grey spot, more or less visible depending on the light. There are also some minor nicks in his dorsal crest.
Life History
The first encounter with Bubulle goes back to 1992. At the time, he was already white. Belugas fade from gray to white in colour between the ages of 12 and 16. Bubulle would therefore have been born before 1980.
His large size, habits and associations strongly suggest that he is a male. Like other adult bulls of the population, in summers Bubulle spends most of his time in herds composed essentially of males. He is affiliated with one of the two networks of males that ply the waters of the Saguenay Fjord. Another network of males, known as the “Downstream Boys”, also uses the head of the Laurentian Channel sector and the downriver portion of the Estuary, but avoids the Saguenay. Even if their territories overlap, individuals from one network seldom come into contact with males of other networks.
As the years pass by, males have a tendency to form stable groups of companions. These associations are established gradually and may play a role in belugas’ reproductive lives. Bubulle’s regular companions are Brad and Vita, who are also members of one of the Saguenay networks.
In February 2021, the adoption of this beluga was completed. The sponsors voted for the name Bubulle, which refers to his round scar on his right flank.
How Bubulle’s story and those of his companions unfold will teach us volumes on the evolution of belugas’ social lives. By better understanding how belugas live, we will be able to better protect them.
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Latest News
Right from the start of the work day, we encounter a herd of 100 to 120 individuals not far from Île Rouge. On the surface, we can see krill. Although the latter are not part of the beluga’s diet, they may be prey for their prey. In any case, there’s action in the tide rip! Seabirds are feeding and diving all around us. A minke whale is also manoeuvring amongst all of this wildlife. It even performs a technique known as “leap frogging”.
Our focus is on the belugas, even if the presence of a fin whale offshore is always a pleasant distraction. We approach small clusters of about five individuals to photograph them. We recognize DL0014, Or Blanc and DL0743. In another group, we see DL0240 and DL9056. With their repeated diving and surfacing, it seems the belugas are feeding. A gull just misses stealing a fish right out of a beluga’s mouth! Not far from us, a humpback dives. We’re so lucky to be studying whales!
We sail in the mouth of the Saguenay River, near rivière aux Canards in Baie-Sainte-Catherine when we see the female Bonheur in a herd of about 50 individuals, white adults and grey young. We also recognize DL0743, a male from the Saguenay region.
Animals are very active. They start diving and ascending to the same place several times, a behaviour called “miling” that is often associated with feeding. The mouth of the Saguenay is a meeting place! Networks of beluga males cross paths with herds of females and young. Gatherings were formed there, but only for a short time, due to the abundance of food.
We’re off the coast of Les Escoumins. DL0743 is swimming in a herd of about 150 belugas, all white adults. Such large gatherings are observed frequently in the downstream sector of the belugas’ summer range. They are generally short-lived and composed essentially of bulls.
Upon our arrival, the belugas are clustered in groups of four or five individuals each. We quickly manage to identify ten or so belugas, including Vita, DL0014 and Frimas. As the herd splinters into smaller groups, our work becomes increasingly difficult. The day draws to a close, and we head home…
Sponsors
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Marilyne Allard «I think of Andy as a name»
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Cynthia Beaulieu
- Josée Beauséjour
- Louis-Philippe Blais
- Claudia Boileau
- Eveline Colas
- Ms Marjorie class (Jean XXIII)
- Clélia Gauduchon
- Marie-Noël Gingras-Perrn
- Odile Jalbert “I have three suggestions for a name: 1) Nereus, who is a primitive Greek sea god, nicknamed “old man of the sea”. His qualities are: benevolent, truthful, without lies or forgetfulness. He is the father of the 50 nereids, which are marine nymphs often represented as being carried by dolphins. They personify the creative and productive activities of nature.
2) Njörd, god of the sea and the winds in Nordic mythology, he brings good luck at sea and good fishing (!). Interesting for a cetacean that lives mainly in the Saguenay Fjord.
3) Finally again in northern mythology, Baldr (also called Balder, or Baldur) is a nice character. He is the god of light and beauty. His name means “the white one”, “the brave one”, “the courageous one”, all qualities that go well with the situation of the “dolphins” of the Saguenay. They are white and they are in great need of valour and courage. In mythology, after his death caused by Loki, a jealous god, and the very destructive battle of Ragnarök that followed, he will return from the kingdom of the dead to create a new world on the ashes of the old.” - Sophie Labelle “My son suggest to name him Tourbillon, since he is an enthusiastic swimmer.”
- Marie-Eve Landry “We suggest the name “Jack”, since we are donating to celebrate his birthday.”
- Pierre Langlois
- Manon Lapointe
- Isabelle Leblanc
- Nathalie Lucas “Thank you very much for the work you do, these animals are a public good, and they must not disappear from our world!”
- Patricia Lyonnet “My biggest dream is to see beluga whales! It is an honour for me to help you each month to protect them and care for them!”
- Jennifer Marchand “I offer this beluga to Henry Beaulne Rurherford. A beluga for a baby-luga!
- Éliane and Chloé Mathieu
- Roxane Monsion “I suggest the name Jeannot as my grandpa who I miss very much.”
- Maude Roy
- Caroline Parat
- Marc Savard
- Sarah Thibodeau
- Mia Tremblay
- Christiane Vadnais “Laurence, what a neat name for a beluga!”