NationalGeographicTravellerAustraliaandNewZealandWinter2018

122 national geographic traveller

For most of the year, these fascinating white mammals spend their time in the

most northern waters of the arctic ocean, far away from the presence of humans.

From mid-June to mid-September, however, when the ice on the churchill river

begins to break up, the water comes alive with thousands of beluga whales who

congregate here so the females can give birth to their young. curious, social belugas

are sometimes called sea canaries for their vocal behaviour of chirps, clicks and

trills that visitors who are lucky enough to snorkel with them will hear when they

dip their heads beneath the sea’s surface. those less keen on taking the plunge

can encounter these marvellous whales on a cruise – operators have hydrophones

to drop into the water, so the noises the creatures are making can be heard on

board – or by paddling a kayak into the river.

WhERE: churchill river, maNitoba

WhERE: JuNe to september

Beluga whales

is toCK

(Belugas); miCHelle v

alBerg for ar

CtiC

KingDom (narwHal); a

nDrew

A pod of social beluga stewart (walrus)

whales in Churchill River.