THE WHITE WHALE PROGRAMME

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Two beluga whales seen in ice hole near Tokarevsky lighthouse in Vladivostok

Two beluga whales seen in ice hole near Tokarevsky lighthouse in Vladivostok

6 February 2023

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Male beluga brought from Yalta to Moscow’s Centre of Oceanography and Marine Biology

Male beluga brought from Yalta to Moscow’s Centre of Oceanography and Marine Biology

27 January 2023

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Scientists develop hydroacoustic system that imitates cetacean signals

Scientists develop hydroacoustic system that imitates cetacean signals

21 November 2022

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Vladimir Burmatov: State Duma to consider a bill banning marine mammal catches in the next few weeks

Vladimir Burmatov: State Duma to consider a bill banning marine mammal catches in the next few weeks

8 November 2022

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Quadcopter films white whales in Karelia’s Kem District

Quadcopter films white whales in Karelia’s Kem District

18 July 2022

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Beluga whales can now be often spotted along Russia’s Far East coast

Beluga whales can now be often spotted along Russia’s Far East coast

12 July 2022

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19 February: World Whale Day

19 February: World Whale Day

19 February 2022

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All enclosures removed from Srednyaya Bay

All enclosures removed from Srednyaya Bay

2 December 2021

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White whale born at Primorye Aquarium

White whale born at Primorye Aquarium

15 September 2021

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Government puts temporary ban on export of whales, dolphins and porpoises from Russia

Government puts temporary ban on export of whales, dolphins and porpoises from Russia

20 August 2021

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Primorye residents urged to follow whale safety advice

Primorye residents urged to follow whale safety advice

10 August 2021

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White whale spotted off the village of Volchanets in Primorye Territory

White whale spotted off the village of Volchanets in Primorye Territory

28 July 2021

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Diver records video of beluga encounter off Russky Island

Diver records video of beluga encounter off Russky Island

26 July 2021

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Villagers in Magadan Region save two beluga whales

Villagers in Magadan Region save two beluga whales

22 June 2021

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White whales trapped by ice in Penkigngey Bay survive winter

White whales trapped by ice in Penkigngey Bay survive winter

11 May 2021

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11th international conference Marine Mammals of the Holarctic held online on 1-5 March 2021

11th international conference Marine Mammals of the Holarctic held online on 1-5 March 2021

12 March 2021

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First responder saves three beluga whales from death in the Khabarovsk Territory

First responder saves three beluga whales from death in the Khabarovsk Territory

16 October 2020

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The long-term impact of oil pollution on the southern local herd of white whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

The long-term impact of oil pollution on the southern local herd of white whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

25 August 2020

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Beluga whale settles near Russky Island

Beluga whale settles near Russky Island

27 July 2020

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Beluga whales from Srednyaya Bay keep active in coastal waters

Beluga whales from Srednyaya Bay keep active in coastal waters

17 May 2020

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69 photos

The white whale (also known as belukha whale) is a member of the Monodontidae family, suborder Odontoceti, and order Cetacea

The Belukha-White Whale Programme aims to study the distribution range, seasonal migrations and the number of white whales in Russian seas and also, their habitat, feeding patterns and their relationships with other cetacean species

Several species of large mammals that are seen as especially important and symbolic for Russia, in particular the white whale, have been chosen for research as part of the White Whale Programme

The aerial survey programme helped researchers compile a large database of photo and video materials about the life of white whales

Adult white whales can measure up to six metres and weigh up to two metric tonnes. White whale calves are grey, but at full maturity a few years later they become almost completely white

In the White Sea, belukhas are noted for the vast span of their migrations, with only a small number of the mammals remaining in the same area throughout the year and the rest migrating to the Barents Sea and the Kara Sea in winter

The belukha inhabits waters of different temperatures, ranging from freezing waters in winter to 32°C in summer

Russian waters have three major groups of whales which some zoologists consider to be three different subspecies: namely those inhabiting the White Sea, the Kara Sea and the Far Eastern waters

The belukha is one of the most numerous Arctic marine mammal species. They inhabit the coastal waters of the Arctic, as well as of the White Sea, the Barents Sea, the Bering Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk

The belukhas kept in zoos are trained with the use of special programs for interaction with veterinarians, scientific experiments, shows at aquariums and dolphin therapy

Aquariums and zoos in Russia and elsewhere take about 20 belukhas annually. These animals should be healthy and well adapted to captivity

The belukha whales feed mainly on fish, particularly schooling species such as cod, herring, plaice and salmon species, but they also eat shellfish and cuttlefish. An adult whale consumes near 15 kilograms of food daily

Female white whale Yulia

Male white whale Platon

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

Male white whale Platon

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

White whales and dolphins playing

White whales and dolphins playing

White whale training at Moscow Zoo

Scientists working on the White Whale Programme place transmitters onto white whales

Scientists working on the White Whale Programme place transmitters onto white whales

Scientists working on the White Whale Programme place transmitters onto white whales

Scientists working on the White Whale Programme place transmitters onto white whales

Scientists working on the White Whale Programme place transmitters onto white whales

White whales can be identified by photograph thanks to their scars. These scar patterns, unique to each whale, are easy to see on their white back, tail and sides

White whales can be identified by photograph thanks to their scars. These scar patterns, unique to each whale, are easy to see on their white back, tail and sides

White whales can be identified by photograph thanks to their scars. These scar patterns, unique to each whale, are easy to see on their white back, tail and sides

White whales can be identified by photograph thanks to their scars. These scar patterns, unique to each whale, are easy to see on their white back, tail and sides

White whales can be identified by photograph thanks to their scars. These scar patterns, unique to each whale, are easy to see on their white back, tail and sides

White whales can be identified by photograph thanks to their scars. These scar patterns, unique to each whale, are easy to see on their white back, tail and sides

White whales are cute, lovable animals. They are easy to train, which is why they often become the stars of sea-life centres and dolphinaria

White whales are cute, lovable animals. They are easy to train, which is why they often become the stars of sea-life centres and dolphinaria

Aerial studies help scientists monitor white whales’ seasonal migration in Russia’s seas

Aerial studies help scientists monitor white whales’ seasonal migration in Russia’s seas

Wild white whales in the White Sea (August 2011,aerial record-keeping footage)

Wild white whales in the White Sea (August 2011,aerial record-keeping footage)

Beluga whales gather off Beluga Cape to mate, give birth to and raise their calves

Whale calves are very active, they like chasing one another and jumping out of the water

Adult whales are also fond of jumping out of the water, but as a rule, do so only during the mating season

The Solovetsky mating waters for beluga whales are unique in that the mammals swim very close to the shore and spend a long time here most days

Beluga whales gather off Beluga Cape in May and spend the entire summer there, leaving around the end of September

Beluga whales gather off Beluga Cape in May and spend the entire summer there, leaving around the end of September

The Solovetsky mating waters for beluga whales are unique in that the mammals swim very close to the shore and spend a long time here most days

Whale calves are very active, they like chasing one another and jumping out of the water

Beluga Cape at Solovetsky Island in the White Sea is a beluga whale mating area

Beluga whales gather off Beluga Cape to mate, give birth to and raise their calves

The Solovetsky mating waters for beluga whales are very vulnerable since they are the site where fundamental biological processes take place such as mating and birth

Beluga whales gather off Beluga Cape to mate, give birth to and raise their calves

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

White whale at the Moscow Zoo

3 videos