Babalou
Beluga
Adopted by The Glen and Carmel Mitchell Foundation
-
ID number
DL0198
-
Sex
Male
-
Year of birth
Before 1978
-
Known Since
1990
Distinctive traits
In Babalou’s dorsal ridge, there are six notches of varying depth. In addition to this highly detailed ridge, Babalou has a small scar on its right front flank.
Life history
We first met Babalou in 1990. He was completely white at the time. Babalou would therefore have been born before 1978.
Babalou’s sex was confirmed by genetic analysis of a biopsy: he is a male. He has regularly been observed in large, dynamic aggregations with a majority of males. Babalou is believed to be a member of one of the two male networks in the Saguenay.
On September 13, 2005, Babalou is swimming in the Escoumins area. He was among an aggregation of some fifteen belugas. The aggregation is mainly made up of adults, but there are also a few pale grey juveniles. The group is difficult to follow, with individuals constantly breaking up into smaller groups and then merging into a single super-group. However, through the aggregation we recognize Frimas, Yorkie and Dance-Sea.
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Latest news
We haven’t seen Babalou since 2005. Is he dead? Has he remained invisible to researchers all this time? One thing is certain, his story remains a valuable source of information for our knowledge of this fragile population.
Sponsor
The Glen and Carmel Mitchell Foundation adopted Babalou (2000).