Doby Mick
Beluga
Adopted by Jackie and Kenneth Gerhart, Texas
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ID number
DL0009
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Sex
Male
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Year of birth
Before 1977
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Known Since
1989
Distinctive traits
Doby Mick’s profile changed in 1992 when his scar in the middle of his dorsal crest deepened to form a deep gash. The small scar just behind his crest is also visible from both flanks.
Life history
We first met Doby Mick in 1989. He was already immaculately white. Doby Mick was born before 1977.
Doby Mick’s sex has been confirmed by genetic analysis of a biopsy taken from his back in 1995 ; he is a male. He is part of one of the two male networks in the Saguenay.
Doby Mick has often been seen in the Saguenay, particularly in Baie Sainte-Marguerite and at its mouth. Baie Sainte-Marguerite appears to be a particularly important site for St. Lawrence belugas. This bay, located some twenty kilometers from the mouth, is part of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and is bordered by the Saguenay National Park. We frequently saw Doby Mick displaying behaviors typical of this area : strolling, vocalizing on the surface of the water and splashing…
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Latest news
On June 13, 1996, we came across a herd of some forty individuals at the mouth of the Saguenay. In fact, there are several small groups of them, quietly forming what we call a “super-group”. The group is made up of adults and juveniles, including Doby Mick.
Was this Doby Mick’s last sighting? We haven’t seen him since 1996. Is he dead? Has he remained invisible to the eye of the researcher all this time? One thing is certain, his story remains a valuable source of information for our knowledge of this fragile population.
Sponsor
Jackie and Kenneth Gerhart adopted Doby Mick (1988).