411 Dive Log Australasia April 2025

The world’s friendliest whale?

By Malcolm Nobbs

A re Belugas the world’s friendliest whale? They are definitely known to be extremely playful and curious. I was keen to observe those qualities first-hand. So, hoping to find out I flew to Churchill in the Canadian subarctic, the Beluga Capital of the World.

Drifting silently beneath the ice, the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is one of nature’s most remarkable cetaceans. Often dubbed the “white whale” for its striking coloration, or the “sea canary” for its melodious, high-pitched calls, this enigmatic creature thrives in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Sound is the beluga’s lifeline. With its keen auditory sense, it sends out high-frequency clicks and listens for returning echoes, enabling it to navigate the maze of shifting ice, locate prey, and even find vital breathing holes. This echolocation ability is one of the most advanced in the animal kingdom, a necessity for life in a world where survival often

depends on sound rather than sight. Belugas are rarely seen alone. They form close knit pods of around 10 individuals, though in summer, they can congregate in their thousands within estuaries and shallow coastal waters. These gatherings are not just social occasions; they provide a safe haven for calves, facilitate moulting, and offer respite from predators. Their calls—chirps, whistles, and clicks—reverberate through the icy depths. Among marine mammals, belugas are arguably the most vocal, communicating in an astonishing variety of sounds that have earned them their avian

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DiveLogAustralasia #411 April 25

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