Beluga Whale Spotted in The Yukon River Near Tanana

Observation by Joyce Harper Roberts with Rodney Evans:

A Beluga Whale, a marine mammal usually found in coastal/oceanic waters, was seen in the Yukon River, 16 miles above Tanana, Alaska— some 600 miles from where the river empties into the Bering Sea. Post made in collaboration with Joyce Harper Roberts, who made the observations and provided the videos of the sighting.

LEO says

During an outreach to Barbara Mahoney with the Marine Mammal Standing Network. a beluga has been spotted at Rampart Rapids and Tanana. Topics about belugas in the LEO Network include unusual range, seasonal timing, and disease present in belugas. A beluga was seen in 2015 on a similar date (August 17th) on the Yukon between Ruby and Galena just down river by Maria Cleaver (See Youtube link). If you see a beluga whale or other marine mammal that is stranded, you can contact the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. See link to website attached. L. Flora

Barbara Mahoney

I did receive a report of a beluga swimming by Tanana, via our marine mammal stranding hotline. Although there were no photos from the reporter, I did see a video (Stan Zuray) of a white beluga at Rampart Rapids (down river from Rampart), which spent a few days below Rock Island. This was posted on Facebook.

We are very interested in beluga sightings, alive or dead, and especially in such a place that is so far from the beluga's 'home'.

I thank the LEO Network for your report and if you hear anything more about this beluga and it's travels, or have additional photos, I would appreciate a message.