Watch the Migrations of Thousands of Beluga Whales

Beluga WhalePhoto byWikimedia

The Big Story

Polar Bears International, a dedicated nonprofit conservation group, based out of Bozeman, Montana is taking action to raise awareness about the impact of global warming on sea ice and its devastating effects on the Arctic ecosystem.

As we speak, a remarkable event is unfolding in the ice-free waters of Canada's Churchill River and Hudson Bay: tens of thousands of beluga whales are migrating there.

These social, bulbous-headed creatures migrate south from the Arctic each summer, showcasing the beauty and wonder of nature's cycles.

Polar Bears International has launched its Beluga Whale Live Cam, which has been available every summer since 2014. The organization has teamed up with Los Angeles-based non-profit, explore.org to bring us live videos of the marine mammal.

You can watch these majestic creatures swim in the icy waters of Churchill River below.

Why it matters?

Belugas, like many other animals, rely on sea ice for their survival. Their unique lack of dorsal fins allows them to escape from predators, such as fast-swimming orcas, by ducking under the ice.

This clever tactic keeps them safe as orcas cannot follow without risking their dorsal fins getting caught.

The sea ice also plays a vital role in supporting a strong Arctic food chain. Algae growing on the ice serves as food for microorganisms, which then become a crucial food source for fish—belugas' primary sustenance.

Global warming is causing sea ice to rapidly disappear, especially in the Arctic, where warming occurs four times faster than the rest of the planet. But, the determined belugas continue their migratory journeys.

During June and July, approximately 57,000 whales swim south to Hudson Bay and the Churchill River to eat, molt, and give birth. The river's shallow waters provide protection for vulnerable calves against orcas.

As summer turns to fall, these intelligent marine mammals return north to the safety of the Arctic sea ice, adapting to the changing world around them.