THE WHITE WHALE PROGRAMME

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Scientists seek to protect beluga whales from tourists

Scientists seek to protect beluga whales from tourists

23 July 2011

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Preliminary results of a study of the migrations of white whales

Preliminary results of a study of the migrations of white whales

27 June 2011

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“Canada-Russia-Norway: Dialogue and Cooperation in the Arctic” conference held in Canada

“Canada-Russia-Norway: Dialogue and Cooperation in the Arctic” conference held in Canada

16 June 2011

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Interview at the Moscow Zoo Dolphinarium

Interview at the Moscow Zoo Dolphinarium

26 May 2011

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Scientists discuss the environment in the sub-Arctic sector of the Okhotsk Sea

Scientists discuss the environment in the sub-Arctic sector of the Okhotsk Sea

21 April 2011

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Spain plays host to the 25th European Cetacean Society Conference

Spain plays host to the 25th European Cetacean Society Conference

19 April 2011

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On March 15-25, 2011, the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (SIEE) carried out a new expedition into the Arctic as part of a programme to survey beluga whales in Russian seas

On March 15-25, 2011, the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (SIEE) carried out a new expedition into the Arctic as part of a programme to survey beluga whales in Russian seas

5 April 2011

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On December 22, Vyacheslav Rozhnov, Doctor of Biology and head of the standing expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences, held a seminar to give and discuss reports on research conducted under the Beluga White Whale Programme at the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences

On December 22, Vyacheslav Rozhnov, Doctor of Biology and head of the standing expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences, held a seminar to give and discuss reports on research conducted under the Beluga White Whale Programme at the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences

23 December 2010

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The IEE Expedition Announces Its Results

The IEE Expedition Announces Its Results

23 December 2010

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Scientists tag six beluga whales in the Okhotsk Sea

Scientists tag six beluga whales in the Okhotsk Sea

24 September 2010

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Tracking beluga whale migration in Russia’s north

Tracking beluga whale migration in Russia’s north

20 September 2010

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Research into the population, distribution, and seasonal migration of beluga whales in Russian seas continues

Research into the population, distribution, and seasonal migration of beluga whales in Russian seas continues

6 September 2010

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New observations of the reproductive gatherings of beluga whales

New observations of the reproductive gatherings of beluga whales

6 September 2010

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Dolphinarium with ten white whales opens to public in Srednyaya Bay near Nakhodka

Dolphinarium with ten white whales opens to public in Srednyaya Bay near Nakhodka

1 July 2010

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Scientists to study health of white whales

Scientists to study health of white whales

21 June 2010

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White Whale Congregation Sites Found in the White Sea

White Whale Congregation Sites Found in the White Sea

19 April 2010

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February 19 is World Whale Day

February 19 is World Whale Day

19 February 2010

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Vladimir Putin went to Chkalov Island in the Sea of Okhotsk during his visit to the Khabarovsk Territory

Vladimir Putin went to Chkalov Island in the Sea of Okhotsk during his visit to the Khabarovsk Territory

31 July 2009

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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