Skip to content
All articles
  • All articles
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Fundraising
  • Green Whale
  • Kids blogs
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
We're at COP28 to Save the Whale, Save the World.

We’re at COP28 to save the whale, save the world

Ed Goodall Ed is WDC's head of intergovernmental engagement. He meets with world leaders to...
Gray whales from drone.

We’re taking steps to uncover the mysteries of whales

Vicki James Vicki is WDC's protected areas coordinator, she helps to create safe ocean spaces...
We must protect our non-human allies. Image: Tom Brakefield, aurore murguet, johan63

We’re urging governments to protect all of our climate heroes – CITES

Katie Hunter Katie supports WDC's engagement in intergovernmental conversations and is working to end captivity...
The Natütama Foundation are dedicated to protecting endangered river dolphins. Image: Natutama

Guardians of the Amazon: protecting the endangered river dolphins

Ali Wood Ali is WDC's education projects coordinator. She is the editor of Splash! and KIDZONE,...

A Family Heritage

Belugas, particularly females, have high site fidelity – meaning they return to the same areas year after year.  This is common in many whale species; the young learn from their mothers the good hunting grounds and safe wintering areas and continue the “family tradition” of visiting the same places.  Belugas will return each year to the same estuaries where they were born, even when they are fully mature.  While they may not spend the entire year in family groups, individuals check in with relatives and continue their family associations each summer.  Not a bad way to spend a summer vacation!

In captivity, belugas are moved between oceanariums as the needs of the “captive stock” dictate – for breeding purposes, to replace one who has died, or to create a bigger attraction.  They do not choose when and where they travel, and they certainly do not get to visit with family each year.  They don’t even get to choose their social groups; their tankmates and assemblages are decided by those who keep them in captivity.

This week, we’re asking Ford Motor Company to maintain their heritage of family and community by protecting the beluga families of the Arctic.  Please join WDC in telling Ford’s Community & Environment department: “Ford Motors: you strive to be sustainable – don’t support Georgia Aquarium’s effort to import wild belugas.  Captivity is not sustainable!

Thank you for protecting beluga families! See you next week for another action alert and beluga fun fact!