Matthew
Beluga
Adopted by Hotel Newfoundland, CP Hotels
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ID number
DL0205
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Sex
Presumed male
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Year of birth
Before 1973
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Known Since
1989
Distinctive traits
To identify Matthew, look for his inconspicuous, but broad depression in front of his dorsal crest, as well as the small notches scattered along his crest.
Life history
First observed in 1989, Matthew was completely white. He was therefore born before 1973.
His associations and the areas he frequents indicate that Matthew is a male. He is a member of one of the two networks of males that frequent the Saguenay Fjord and its mouth.
We haven’t biopsied Matthew yet, but he’s probably part of one of the bands of adult males that frequent the Saguenay. He has often been seen in the company of other males such as Walter and Tepui. Adult belugas are highly sex-segregated in summer. Males and females show clearly marked preferences, both in their associations and in the areas they frequent. In juveniles and young adults, this behavior is not as marked.
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Latest news
Matthew is in a group of about 30 in the Bergeronnes area, near Anse à la Cave. Visibility drops and we lose contact with the animals. We did manage to spot Double-Vent swimming with DL0217 and Matthew.
Matthew was last seen over a decade ago. What happened to him? Is he dead? Has he remained invisible to the researcher’s eye all this time? One thing’s for sure, his story remains a valuable source of information that helps us to better understand this fragile population.
Sponsor
Hotel Newfoundland, CP Hotels adopted Matthew (1999).