FIRST COLLECTIVE ADOPTION COMPLETED; DL0030 TO BE CALLED ATHÉNA

Almost a year to the day after the second wave of the Adopt a Beluga campaign was launched (in French), the first collective adoption has been completed. Beluga DL0030 is one of three individuals that people could adopt while staying within their financial means. Some thirty donors contributed a donation online. The money raised through a collection box placed at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) in Tadoussac helped raise nearly 50% of the full amount of adoption, or $2,306.

In addition to visitors to the CIMM, sponsors come from all walks of life: young students, professional biologists, fervent nature lovers or generous donors making a gesture in honour of a loved one or as a Christmas gift. Recently, students at the Collège Nouvelles Frontières in Gatineau completed the adoption with a donation of $308 raised by selling bracelets. It was thanks to a contribution of a few dollars that DL0030 was able to join the large family of adoptees.

Athéna, goddess of both war and wisdom

Inspired by the deep scar this female bears on her left side or all that this endangered white whale brings to mind, several participants in the adoption proposed and endorsed the name “Athéna”. The GREMM team, which has been studying belugas for 30 years, was also charmed by this name.
On behalf of the entire team of the St. Lawrence Beluga Project, thank you and good luck to the two remaining belugas DL1587 and DL0197 still in search of sponsors!

To learn more:

Adopt a Beluga campaign