Laurent
Beluga
Adopted by Canadian Pacific Hotels, Québec Region, CP Regions
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ID number
DL0152
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Sex
Male
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Year of birth
Before 1970
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Known Since
1986
Distinctive traits
Laurent is most easily recognized from the left flank, thanks to the deep circular scar at the bottom of the flank, after the dorsal crest. His crest, on the other hand, contains a few notches that help identify him from the right flank.
Life history
First observed in 1986, Laurent was already white. He would therefore have been born before 1970.
Laurent’s sex was confirmed by biopsy: he is a male. A piece of skin and fat taken from his back enabled us to carry out a genetic analysis. Laurent is part of one of two networks of males that frequent the head of the Laurentian Channel and the Saguenay Fjord.
Laurent is a male. How do we know? A biopsy. A tiny piece of fat and skin, containing the animal’s genetic secrets, is removed using a crossbow that propels a dart fitted with a dart. GREMM has been biopsying belugas since 1994 to identify sex and family relationships.
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Latest news
We follow the coastline off Les Bergeronnes. Arriving near Cap de Bon-Désir, we come across two belugas : Laurent and Atlantis. The animals are not very active, alternating between resting, known as “billotage”, and short dives.
Sponsor
Canadian Pacific Hotels, Québec Region, CP Regions adopted Laurent (1998).