Blanche-Neige

Beluga

ligne décoration

Adopted by Peinture Internationale

  • ID number

    DL0024

  • Sex

    Presumed male

  • Year of birth

    Before 1968

  • Known Since

    1980

Distinctive traits

Blanche-Neige has a large scar on his peduncle, visible on both sides. On the left side, just below it, is a small dot. Another distinctive feature is the irregular dorsal ridge.

Life history

The first time Blanche-Neige was photographed, in 1980, he was already immaculately white. He was then at least 12 to 16 years old.

According to his habits and associations, Blanche-Neige is part of the network of males that frequent the downstream sector, between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins, of the belugas’ summer distribution area.

St. Lawrence belugas, like Blanche-Neige, belong to the southernmost population of belugas. The other populations are found in the circumpolar regions of the Arctic. Physically, St. Lawrence belugas are smaller than Arctic belugas, and do not moult seasonally. This is due to their permanent residence in the estuary, whose waters are more temperate and slightly less salty than those of Arctic belugas.

Observations history in the Estuary

1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990

Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed

Latest news

Blanche-Neige was last seen on September 30, 1990. What happened to him? Did he die? Has it remained invisible to researchers all this time? One thing is certain, his story remains a valuable source of information for our knowledge of this fragile population.

Sponsor

Peinture Internationale adopted Octave, Aile Joyeuse, Blanche-Neige, Oreillette, Patte d’Oie and Vagabonde (1988).