Winter sighting of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Yakutat-Disenchantment Bay, Alaska

Abstract

On 19 February 1997, we made the first documented winter sighting of beluga whales in Yakutat-Disenchantment Bay, Alaska. We estimated that 10 individuals were swimming in ice-free, turbid water near the Hubbard Glacier. The sporadic record of belugas in the bay suggests they may be occasional visitors from the Cook Inlet population.