Trail
Beluga
Adopted by Les Trails du Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean
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ID number
DL9082
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Sex
Female
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Year of birth
Unknown
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Known Since
2018
Distinctive traits
Trail can be identified by a large notch in the center of her dorsal crest, on the right flank. She also has a white line at the end of her crest, which helps identify her. On her left flank, there’s also a large notch in the middle of her crest.
Life history
We first met Trail in 2018. At the time, she was still gray. Beluga whales change color from gray to white between the ages of 12 and 16.
Trail is a female. Her sex was confirmed by biopsy on October 1, 2019, thanks to genetic analysis of the tiny piece of skin and fat taken from her back. That same day, Trail was droned, which established that she measured around 3.1 meters. A year earlier, in 2018, a transmitter was placed on Trail’s back.
Trail regularly swims in groups of adults, young grays and calves, but also in groups of adults and young grays. In summer, females form large communities in which they care for newborns and young. These communities are attached to traditional territories, and there is little exchange between them. St. Lawrence belugas generally give birth between June and September. The calves are nursed for around two years. This period of learning and mothering is vital to the survival of the newborn.
The rest of Trail’s story will tell us a lot about the evolution of the beluga’s social life. By understanding how belugas live, we can better protect them.
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Sponsor
Les Trails du Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean adopted Trail (2022).