Captive Beluga Whales in the U.S. & Canada

SWT (4.5)
Crissy F (est 1988)
Martha F (est 1988)
Naluark M (est 1986)
Luna F (b 07/24/2000)
Innik M (b 08/17/2017)
Tyonek M (b 2017)
Atla F (b 06/23/2010)
Pearl F (b 06/23/2010)
Tulok M (b 07/25/2021)

SWF (2.0)
Samson M (b 07/09/2013)
Kenai M (b 08/11/2016)

SWC (2.1)
Allua F (est 1985)
Klondike M (b 07/13/2002)
Oliver M (b 06/23/2007)

Mystic (1.4)
Natasha F (est 1980)
Kelalukak F (est 1981)
Juno M (b 07/06/2002)
Jetta F (b 07/17/2014)
Sahara F (b 07/23/2014)

Georgia (1.4)
Whisper F (b 07/25/1999)
Maple F (b 07/02/2005)
Qinu F (b 07/31/2008)
Shila F (b 05/17/2020)
Nunavik M (b 12/14/2009

Shedd (4.4)
Beethoven M (b 08/08/1992)
Naya F (est 1989)
Kayavak F (b 08/03/1999)
Aurek M (b 06/27/2003)
Bella F (b 07/17/2006)
Kimalu F (b 08/27/2012)
Annik M (b 07/03/2019)
Atlas M (b 08/21/2020)

Total US Population (32)
14.18
 
SWT (4.5)
Crissy F (est 1988)
Martha F (est 1988)
Naluark M (est 1986)
Luna F (b 07/24/2000)
Innik M (b 08/17/2017)
Tyonek M (b 2017)
Atla F (b 06/23/2010)
Pearl F (b 06/23/2010)
Tulok M (b 07/25/2021)

SWF (2.0)
Samson M (b 07/09/2013)
Kenai M (b 08/11/2016)

SWC (2.1)
Allua F (est 1985)
Klondike M (b 07/13/2002)
Oliver M (b 06/23/2007)

Mystic (1.4)
Natasha F (est 1980)
Kelalukak F (est 1981)
Juno M (b 07/06/2002)
Jetta F (b 07/17/2014)
Sahara F (b 07/23/2014)

Georgia (1.4)
Whisper F (b 07/25/1999)
Maple F (b 07/02/2005)
Qinu F (b 07/31/2008)
Shila F (b 05/17/2020)
Nunavik M (b 12/14/2009

Shedd (4.4)
Beethoven M (b 08/08/1992)
Naya F (est 1989)
Kayavak F (b 08/03/1999)
Aurek M (b 06/27/2003)
Bella F (b 07/17/2006)
Kimalu F (b 08/27/2012)
Annik M (b 07/03/2019)
Atlas M (b 08/21/2020)

Total US Population (32)
14.18
How come there are so many at Sea World San Antonio compared to the other Sea World locations?
 
How come there are so many at Sea World San Antonio compared to the other Sea World locations?
At one point in time, belugas were not breeding well in US aquaria. The decision was made to create a large pod to encourage breeding and San Antonio had the space to house them. It was fairly successful, and they have continued to have a large pod.
The argument could be made they are not breeding well now either, and the population may not be sustainable without imports without breeding restrictions, but alas…..
 
How come there are so many at Sea World San Antonio compared to the other Sea World locations?
At one point in time, belugas were not breeding well in US aquaria. The decision was made to create a large pod to encourage breeding and San Antonio had the space to house them. It was fairly successful, and they have continued to have a large pod.
The argument could be made they are not breeding well now either, and the population may not be sustainable without imports without breeding restrictions, but alas…..

SW San Antonio is also the only SW park with a beluga show; they perform along with pacific white-sided dolphins. So taking into account that and what MidwestFan already explained, it seems logical to have a larger group there.
 
I am yet of the opinion there is an urgent need to put the captive-breeding program for beluga on more firm footing. Let us not bow down to the Blackfish AW extremes (it don't make no sense and will not assist one bit conservation ethics nor projects for in situ protection and conservation of the species.
it would be great if we could get another Beluga holder, more space means more opportunities to breed.(I can't remember the last time any cetacean species got a new holder though...)
 
I am yet of the opinion there is an urgent need to put the captive-breeding program for beluga on more firm footing. Let us not bow down to the Blackfish AW extremes (it don't make no sense and will not assist one bit conservation ethics nor projects for in situ protection and conservation of the species.

I personally think the average person is alright with dolphins and belugas in accredited facilities as long as they’re rescued or captive bred. I do believe the people against them are more of a vocal minority. The amount of people visiting facilities such as Georgia, Shedd, Mystic, and even rising attendance to the SeaWorld parks is proof of this.
 
Luna gave birth to a Beluga whale calf sometime between mid June and early July.
450777855_346486878555597_1263393017445167933_n.heic
 
US Population Update:
(note-1: it is believed that there is one more pregnant beluga at SWT, unknown which individual at this time)
(note-2: will work to update sire/dam for individuals for next update)

SWT (5.5)
Crissy F (est 1988)
Martha F (est 1988)
Naluark M (est 1986)
Luna F (b 07/24/2000)
Innik M (b 08/17/2017)
Tyonek M (b 2017)
Atla F (b 06/23/2010)
Pearl F (b 06/23/2010)
Tulok M (b 07/25/2021)
UNKNOWN M [? X Luna] (b 06/28/2024)

SWF (2.0)
Samson M (b 07/09/2013)
Kenai M (b 08/11/2016)

SWC (2.1)
Allua F (est 1985)
Klondike M (b 07/13/2002)
Oliver M (b 06/23/2007)

Mystic (1.4)
Natasha F (est 1980)
Kelalukak F (est 1981)
Juno M (b 07/06/2002)
Jetta F (b 07/17/2014)
Sahara F (b 07/23/2014)

Georgia (1.4)
Whisper F (b 07/25/1999)
Maple F (b 07/02/2005)
Qinu F (b 07/31/2008)
Shila F (b 05/17/2020)
Nunavik M (b 12/14/2009)

Shedd (4.4)
Beethoven M (b 08/08/1992)
Naya F (est 1989)
Kayavak F (b 08/03/1999)
Aurek M (b 06/27/2003)
Bella F (b 07/17/2006)
Kimalu F (b 08/27/2012)
Annik M (b 07/03/2019)
Atlas M (b 08/21/2020)

Total US Population (33)
15.18
 
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