Rare drone footage has captured up to 800 whales frolicking and socialising in the endangered channel where they come to give birth.
The beautiful belugas were filmed as they sought out the safety of Lancaster Sound which lies off the coast of Devon Island, in northern Canada.
The mammals majestically swirl through estuaries to their temporary home, playing and socialising in groups with a vocal chirp that earned them the nickname ‘canaries of the sea’.
Rare drone footage has captured up to 800 beluga whales from above as they migrate to Lancaster Sound off the coast of Devon Island in Canada
Beluga whales are known as the canaries of the sea because of their socialising in groups and vibrant churp
The creatures were filmed by Sea Legacy, who are campaigning to make Lancaster Sound into a marine protected area
They were filmed by Sea Legacy, who are campaigning to make Lancaster Sound into a marine protected area to save the surrounding, wondrous wildlife and environment.
If successful it will prevent oil exploration, additional tanker traffic and development of the area.
Cristina Mittermeier, 50, president and co-founder of Sea Legacy, said: ‘Beluga whales are truly mythical animals; they are challenging to find and even harder to film.
‘By virtue of being at the right place and time, we were able to spend a couple of days on shore, watching and filming the belugas as they travelled and found refuge in estuaries where they come to moult.
‘It is an amazing thing to watch hundreds of beluga whales, from older animals to newborns, swim together towards the mouth of a shallow estuary.
‘As the tide rises, the animals prepare to enter the estuary, they must wait for the water to be deep enough in order to avoid getting stranded or beached.
‘They seek these sheltered estuaries to avoid killer whale predation on their young.
‘They are called the ‘canaries of the sea’ because they are so vocal – they constantly vocalise and chirp, ‘talking’ to each other and interacting in joyful social groups.
‘Watching large pods of marine mammals, playing, socialising and frolicking is heartwarming.
The mammals majestically swirl through estuaries to their temporary home, playing and socialising in groups
A mother beluga with her calf. Lancaster Sound has been a vital hunting ground for Inuit, who have advocated to have safeguards for the surrounding waters in place since the 1960s
Sea Legacy hopes the marine protected area will create a 110,000 square kilometre zone – which would make it Canada’s largest area of protected ocean
‘Knowing that these creatures may continue to live and wander in these Arctic waters can only fill you with hope.
‘Finding a hopeful narrative is imperative if we want to have a healthy and abundant ocean for the future.’
Lancaster Sound has been a vital hunting ground for Inuit, who have advocated to have safeguards for the surrounding waters in place since the 1960s.
Sea Legacy hopes the marine protected area will create a 110,000 square kilometre zone – which would make it Canada’s largest area of protected ocean.
This will keep certain migration routes safe so that animals like the beluga can find sanctuary away from the nearby harsh environments.
Ms Mittermeier said: ‘The effort to create this new protected area has been led by Inuit knowledge.
Making Lancaster Sound a marine protected area will keep certain migration routes safe so that animals like the beluga can find sanctuary away from the nearby harsh environments
‘To this day, they depend on hunting for whale meat, for food, trade, and most importantly, for the maintenance of hunting Inuit traditions.
‘Protecting this vast area from oil exploration, additional tanker traffic, and development ensures that the habitat on which marine wildlife depend, stands a better chance against climate change.
‘Having protected migration routes and being able to find sanctuary is very important for wildlife in these harsh environments.’
For more information visit: www.sealegacy.org