Mo
Beluga
Adopted by Canadian Pacific Hotels, Manitoba and Ontario Regions, CP Regions
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ID number
DL0107
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Sex
Male
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Year of birth
Around 1980
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Known Since
1989
Distinctive traits
The bump on the back of Mo’s head is a good clue to recognize him. In addition, on each flank just behind this hump is a small, deep scar. His dorsal crest is also very detailed.
Life history
Our very first encounter with Mo was in 1989. He was a slightly gray beluga. Then, in 1995, he became almost perfectly white. Mo was born in the early 1980s.
His large size, habits and social affiliations clearly indicate that Mo is a male. He belongs to one of the two male networks in the Saguenay.
We assume that Mo is a male because of his social behavior. In our first encounters with Mo, he was observed with males known to the team, such as Galubé and Alpha. Male belugas occupy more of the central and downstream part of their range : the Saguenay Fjord and the head of the Laurentian Channel up to around Forestville. Females frequent more upstream territories and the fjord.
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Latest news
We’re at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord. We spot a herd of some forty individuals, adults and calves. The herd splits into two groups, one of around 20 adults and calves, and the other of around 15 adults. After an hour’s observation, we noticed that there was very little interaction between the two groups. Towards the end of the contact, we attempt a biopsy, the target is hit and the team is satisfied.
Was this Mo’s last sighting? We haven’t seen him for twenty years. Is he dead? Has he remained invisible to the eye of the researcher all this time? One thing’s for sure, his story remains a valuable source of information, helping us to better understand this fragile population.
Sponsor
Canadian Pacific Hotels, Manitoba and Ontario Regions, CP Regions adopted Mo (1998).