Hélis
Beluga
Adopted by the students and staff of the biology module of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
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ID number
DL0018
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Sex
Unknown
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Year of birth
Before 1961
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Known Since
1977
Distinctive traits
Hélis is best recognized by the scar on its back, behind the dorsal crest, which runs down both sides. It is fairly wide on the right flank and rather thin on the left. The crest contains several small notches.
Life history
Known since 1977, Hélis was already all white. This means Hélis was born before 1961.
Despite its obvious markings, Hélis has been observed very few times. The data do not allow us to determine its sex or its summer range.
In 2005, Hélis deserted the St. Lawrence during the winter to find itself a long way from home in April, some 2,000 km further south, in the Delaware River in New Jersey, 200 km from the Atlantic coast. In the end, this beluga only spent four days in the area. Nine days later, Hélis reappeared in another heavily industrialized area near Philadelphia: the Schuylkill River. Since leaving this river, no further sightings of this beluga have been reported.
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Latest news
At the mouth of the Saguenay, Hélis is recognized among a dozen adults. The group is swimming in rough waters. He passes another group of belugas, including adults and calves. Although the two groups are barely 100 m apart, we see no interaction between them.
Sponsor
Students and staff of the biology module of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi adopted Hélis (1989).