Ask Me Why Belugas Count!

For the weekend the marine mammal biology class took a road trip up to Anchorage, Alaska. Our project took place along Turnagain Arm, a stretch of the highway that hugs the Cook Inlet, and was centered around photo identification. Every time we spotted a beluga whale in the Cook Inlet, the team attempted to take photographs that could be used to identify the individual animals, as well as keep track of how many we saw and any behaviors they exuded. This was a three-day field study that was conducted over the entire weekend.

However, on Saturday, Sept. 15, NOAA held a citizen science event called Belugas Count! Aimed at educating the public about the Cook Inlet Beluga whales, one of the most critically endangered marine mammals in the world, and the importance of reporting any sightings, the event has stations all along Turnagain Arm to engage visitors and maximize outreach. The population is genetically separated from all other Beluga whale populations, and from 1994-1998, the population had a dramatic decline from about 1,300 individuals to around 300. Even though hunting has ceased, and the species was placed under the Endangered Species act in 2008, the population is still critically endangered, and remains around 300 individuals.

As a volunteer at the event, I was able to take part in educating visitors about the belugas, and answering any of their questions. I absolutely love informal education. I am able to talk with people and share my passion and knowledge with them, and it often inspires others to help a cause, such as wildlife conservation, that they previously knew little about. I was able to meet so many amazing people throughout the day, and it was truly such a fun experience.

Belugas Count! is an annual citizen science event that takes place in Anchorage every fall, and I urge you to take part if you are in the area at the time. And if you are not, there are still ways for you to contribute! If you are interested in learning more, please visit www.cookinletbelugas.com