Splash

Splash is observed off of Île Rouge. We have the impression that we’ve come upon the same beluga herd as the one we encountered the day before in the vicinity of Cacouna. Comprising about 70 belugas, the herd forms a long stationary line running parallel to the coast. The sector is a hot spot of activity, with gray seals and minke whales interspersed throughout the herd. Around noon, the wind picks up. We lose sight of the individuals swimming upriver from the herd. Despite the weather conditions, we manage to perform a biopsy on one of the belugas.

We set sail for the downstream sector, where we regularly come into contact with herds of males. We cross paths with Splash near the north shore. It is in a herd of 30 belugas, mostly white adults and a few young grays. After an hour of monitoring, the herd grows larger and now numbers about 40 individuals.

The animals are very active. Some belugas poke their heads above the surface as if to spy on us, others raise their tails out of the water. We can hear all sorts of vocalizations. A group of six individuals breaks rank with the rest of the herd, dozing off at the water surface. Then they begin to dive and resurface multiple times at the same location, a behaviour known as “milling”, which is often associated with feeding. With its particular oceanographic conditions, this sector is teeming with prey! We attempt to perform a biopsy on one of the individuals, but unfortunately we miss our mark!

Off the coast of Île Verte, we come across a herd of thirty adult and juvenile belugas. Strong waves are rocking the Bleuvet, but we are determined to photo-ID the animals. The belugas are swimming toward the islands of Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie, or “Brandy Pot” in English. Through the waves we recognize Splash, who is swimming with a small gray beluga. After an hour of observation, the animals begin swimming in circles and then in opposite directions. We conclude the encounter by taking a biopsy.