“Every spring you can spot PODS OF BELUGAS from the banks of Naknek River in South-western Alaska, where white whales come to feed on rainbow trout.”

National Geographic Kids, 5,000 Awesome Facts

We will start with what is a Beluga? A Beluga is a whale that can be found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic area. They can grow up to 18 feet long, and weigh up to 3,530 lb, which is mostly a layer of thick skin and a lot of blubber. They are known for their bulbous forehead (giving them the name melon-head) in which they can change the shape of it by blowing air around its sinuses. They are also known as the “canaries of the sea” for their vocal and social tendencies, and the “white whale” for their white color. There are approximately 200,000 of Belugas and are not considered endangered, but in Alaska along the Inlet River are in rapid decline, only about 300, and therefore listed as critical in that particular part of the state.

But, alas, by the Naknek River it marks that spring has arrived when almost 3,000 belugas come swimming into the river when the trout are jumping and people can spot or hear these bulbous headed, white singing canaries. The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 prohibits hunting marine mammals but Alaska Natives can hunt the whales and use them for food and for creating goods to use or sell.

They are said to taste like avocado and is described as creamy and buttery with a slight nutty and salty taste and make great jerky.

They are different among sea mammals for they can bend their head up and down and to the side, which others can not do.

They can be viewed live using the online Naknek River camera (https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/beluga-whale) in mid April to mid May, or plan a trip to Alaska around that time of year to see and hear them up close.

Why they choose that part of Alaska is for they are opportunist feed mammals and probably gravitate towards things that are good and tasty. And some fresh trout just off the river would be a nice delicacy right when spring awakens for them. I know I wouldn’t argue! I think Charley wouldn’t be as fond of the trout as Stella Vader, her kitty friend, but who knows.

Sources: Wikipedia, National Geographic, and http://www.adfg.alaska.gov.