Research Reports and Publications on Cook Inlet Beluga Whales
Scientific reports and survey data on Cook Inlet beluga whales
Aerial Surveys, Abundance, and Population Trends
Abundance and Populations
- The Status of Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in Cook Inlet, Alaska, and Surrounding Waters: Part II: Preface, 2015
- Spatio-temporal Changes in Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus leucas, Distribution: Results from Aerial Surveys (1977-2014), Opportunistic Sightings (1975-2014), and Satellite Tagging (1999-2003) in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2015
- Viability of a Small, Geographically-Isolated Population of Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus leucas: Effects of Hunting, Predation, and Mortality Events in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2015
- Estimated Abundance and Trend in Aerial Counts of Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 1994-2012, 2015
- Detecting Changes in Population Trends for Cook Inlet Beluga Whales Using Alternative Schedules for Aerial Surveys, 2013
- 2008 Supplemental Status Review and Extinction Assessment of Cook Inlet Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), 2008
- Abundance of Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 1994-2000, 2000
- Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, Group Sizes in Cook Inlet, Alaska, Based on Observer Counts and Aerial Video, 2000
Aerial Surveys
- June 2016
- June 2014
- June 2005 to 2012
- August 2012
- August 2011
- August 2010
- August 2009
- September - October 2008
- August 2008
- August 2007
- August 2006
- May 2006
- August 2005
- June 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004
- Year-round June 2001 to June 2002
- June 1993 to 2000
Acoustics/Noise
- A Marine Mammal Odyssey, eh! 2017
- Acoustic Foraging Behavior of Beluga Whales Via Combined Technology: Satellite Telemetry, Passive Acoustics, Accelerometry, and Stomach Temperature Sensing, 2017
- Anthropogenic Noise in Cook Inlet Beluga Habitat: Sources, Acoustic Characteristics, and Frequency of Occurrence, 2016
- Seasonal Distribution and Forage Behavior of Cook Inlet Belugas Based on Acoustic Monitoring, 2015
- Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, 2013
- Acoustic Monitoring of Belugas in Eagle River, Cook Inlet, Alaska Marine Science Symposium Poster, 2013
- Interactions Between Beluga Whales and Boats in Knik Arm, Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska: Behavior and Bioacoustics, 2012
- Underwater Acoustic Measurement of the Spartan 151 Jack-up Drilling Rig in the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Critical Habitat, 2011
- Acoustic Monitoring of Beluga Whales and Noise in Cook Inlet
- Construction Impacts on the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale at the Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project, 2010
- Behavior and Distribution of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, Before and During Pile Driving Activity, 2010
- Port of Anchorage Expansion - Noise Studies:
- Acoustic Monitoring and In-situ Exposures of Juvenile Coho Salmon to Pile Driving Noise at the Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project Knik Arm, 2009
- Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal Development Project 2008 Underwater Noise Survey During Construction Pile Driving, 2009
- Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal Development Project Underwater Noise Survey Test Pile Driving Program, 2007
- Synopsis of 2008 Workshop on Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Cook Inlet Belugas, Alaska SeaLife Center, 2009
- Anthropogenic Noise Sources and Sound Production of Beluga Whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2009
- The Beluga Whale Produces Two Pulses to Form Its Sonar Signal, 2009
- Acoustic Monitoring for the Presence of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, 2008
- Beluga vocalizations (MP3 audio file, .25 MB) 2008
- Beluga vocalizations (WAV audio file, 27 MB) 2008
- Underwater Measurements of Pile-driving Sounds during the Port MacKenzie Dock Modifications, 2005
- Acoustic Measurements in Cook Inlet, During August 2001, 2003
- Characterization of Underwater Sounds Produced by Bucket and Dredging Operations, 2001
- Low-frequency Underwater Hearing Sensitivity in Belugas, 1988
Anthropogenic Impacts (other than noise)
- Potential Natural and Anthropogenic Impediments to the Conservation and Recovery of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, 2016
- Organohalogen Contaminants and Mercury in Beluga Whale Tissues Banked by the Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project, 2012
- Anthropogenic and Environmental Stressors in Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, Literature Review and Assessment, 2011
- Evaluation of the Effects of Discharge Permit Reauthorization on Endangered Species 2011
- Chemical Exposure for Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, 2010
- Spatial and Temporal Trends of Perfluorinated Compounds in Beluga Whales from Alaska, 2010
- Incidental Catch and Interactions of Marine Mammals and Birds in the Cook Inlet Salmon Driftnet and Setnet Fisheries 1999-2000, 2006
- Persistent Chlorinated Compounds and Elements in Tissues of CI Beluga Whales, 2001
- Concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PDB's), Chlorinated Pesticides, and Heavy Metals and Other Elements in Tissues of Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, from Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2000
- Native Harvest and Use of Beluga in the Upper Cook Inlet
- Field Report for Vessel Operations in Cook Inlet, 1995
- Impacts of Vessel Surveys and Tagging Operations on the Behavior of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, June 1994
Biopsy
- Guidance to Parties Interested in Conducting Biopsies on Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, 2015
- Report of a Workshop on Potential for a Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Biopsy Program, 2014
Conferences and Workshops
- Conference and Workshop Information, Presentations and Reports
- 2017 Research Methods Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
- 2014 Conservation and Recovery of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in the Context of Continued Development, Anchorage, Alaska
- 2014 Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Science Conference, Anchorage, Alaska
- 2010 Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Science Conference, Anchorage, Alaska
Diet/Prey
- Diet of Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in Alaska from Stomach Contents, March–November, 2015
- Assessment of the Prey Availability and Oil-related Contaminants in Winter Habitat of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, Final Report: Trawl Surveys and Laboratory Analyses (2012-2013) 2014
- Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Diet Using Stable Isotope Analysis, 2011
- Fatty acid variation in beluga blubber: implications for estimating diet using fatty acids, 2009
Distribution and Movements
- Satellite Maps of Tagged Alaskan Beluga Stocks in Wintering Areas, 2017
- The Susitna River Delta as a calving ground: Evidence From Observation of a Cook Inlet Beluga Birth and the 2005-2015 Seasonal and Geographic Patterns of Neonate Occurrence in Upper Cook Inlet, 2016
- Assessment of Remote Video for Monitoring Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, of Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2015
- Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, Ethogram: A Tool for Cook Inlet Beluga Conservation? 2015
- Beluga Whale and Other Marine Mammal Occurrences in Upper Cook Inlet between Point Campbell and Fire Island, 2013
- Observations of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, Along the Anchorage Coast Between 2008 and 2011, 2013
- An Oral History of Habitat Use by Cook Inlet Belugas in Waters of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 2012
- Movement and Dive Behavior of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2012
- Identifying Essential Summer Habitat of the Endangered Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) in Cook Inlet, 2012
- Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Behavioral Observations Via Video-Monitoring in 2011, 2012
- Alaska SeaLife Center Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Remote Monitoring Pilot Study - May – August 2011: frequency of occurrence, relative abundance, and surface behavior of beluga whales near the mouth of the Little Susitna River, 2011
- Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in the Little Susitna River Delta in 2011, 2011
- Range Contraction in a Beluga Whale Population, 2010
- Beluga Observational Studies on Eagle River Flats, Fort Richardson, Alaska in 2009, 2010
- Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Opportunistic Sightings Database: A summary of opportunistic sightings during the past 35 years, 2010
- Distribution, Habitat Use, and Behavior of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Knik Arm, 2008
- Monitoring Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Distribution and Movements in Turnagain Arm Along the Seward Highway Final Report, 2007
- Movements and Area Use of Belugas in a Subarctic Alaskan Estuary, Arctic, Vol. 58, No. 4, 2005
- Historic and Current Use of Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, by Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, 2000
- Distribution of Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, in Cook Inlet, Alaska, During June/July 1993-2000, 2000
- Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, Habitat Associations in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2000
- Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, Distribution and Survey Effort in the Gulf of Alaska, 2000
- Development of Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, Capture and Satellite Tagging Protocol in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2000
- Application of Suction-cup-attached VHF Transmitters to the Study of Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, Surfacing Behavior in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2000
- Beluga Whales - Status, Distribution, Harvest History, Historic and Current Use, Habitat Associations, Traditional Knowledge and Abundance, 2000
- Distribution of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Winter, Final Report, 1999
- Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus Leucas, Distribution and Abundance in Cook Inlet - 1993, (see page 1) 1994
- Group Count Estimates and Analysis of Surfacing Behavior of Beluga Whales from Aerial Video in Cook Inlet - 1994, 1994
- Port of Anchorage Beluga Studies:
- Distribution, Habitat Use and Behavior of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales and Other Marine Mammals at the Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project June – November 2011, Scientific Marine Mammal Monitoring Program 2011 Annual Report, 2011
- Distribution, Habitat Use and Behavior of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales and Other Marine Mammals at the Port of Anchorage, June-November 2008, 2009
- Distribution, Habitat Use, and Behavior of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Knik Arm, Fall 2007, 2008
- Temporal-spatial Distribution, Movements, and Behavior of Beluga Whales near the Port of Anchorage, Alaska, 2007
- Pre-Deployment Visual Monitoring for Beluga Whales in and near the Cook Inlet Tidal Energy Project Proposed Deployment Area, Status Reports:
- Satellite Tagging in Cook Inlet, 1999-2003: 2003-2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
Habitat
- Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Research: Study of Physical and Biological Factors that Impact the Beluga's Population, 2013
- Identifying Essential Summer Habitat of the Endangered Beluga Whale Delphinapterus leucas in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2012
- Using Inundation Modeling and Remote Sensing Data to Study Hydrodynamic and Environmental Impacts on the Survival of Cook Inlet's Beluga Whales, Final Report from 1-October, 2010 to 30-September, 2011, 2011
- Baroclinic Tidal Flows and Inundation Processes in Cook Inlet, Alaska: Numerical Modeling and Satellite Observations, 2007
- Habitat Use in a Marine Ecosystem: Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, 2007
- Movements and Area Use of Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, in a Subarctic Alaskan Estuary, 2005
- Beluga Whales - Status, Distribution, Harvest History, Historic and Current Use, Habitat Associations, Traditional Knowledge, and Abundance, 2000
- Belukha Whales in Lower Cook Inlet - Environmental Assessment of the Alaskan Continental Shelf, U.S., 1979
Genetics
- Molecular Genetic Studies of Population Structure and Movement Patterns in a Migratory Species: The Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus leucas, in the Western Nearctic, 2002
- Phylogeography, population structure, and dispersal patterns of the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas in the western Nearctic revealed by mitochondrial DNA, 1997
Life History
- The Susitna River Delta as a calving ground: Evidence from observation of a Cook Inlet beluga birth and the 2005-2015 seasonal and geographic patterns of neonate occurrence in Upper Cook Inlet, 2016
- Socio-sexual and Probable Mating Behavior of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, Observed From an Aircraft, 2015
- Annual Calf Indices for Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in Cook Inlet, Alaska 2006-12, 2015
- Predation by Killer Whales in Cook Inlet and Western Alaska: An Integrated Approach 2008-2009 - Project R0303-01 Final Report, 2011
- The Endangered Beluga Whales of Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2011
- Cook Inlet Beluga Age and Growth, 2003
- Developing a Calving Rate Index for Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2003
- Monitoring Recovery Status and Age Structure of Cook Inlet, Alaska Belugas by Skin Color Determination, 2001
- Synthesis of Available Information on the Cook Inlet Stock of Beluga Whales, 1999
Photo-Identification Studies
- Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo ID Project
- The Susitna River Delta as a calving ground: Evidence from observation of a Cook Inlet beluga birth and the 2005-2015 seasonal and geographic patterns of neonate occurrence in Upper Cook Inlet, 2016
- LGL: Photo-identification of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska:
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm, Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska: Summary of field activities and whales identified in 2014, 2016
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in the Susitna River Delta, Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska: Summary of field activities and whales identified in 2014, 2016
- The continued development of a catalog of left-side digital images of individually identified Cook Inlet beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas: inclusion of data from 2009-2011. NPRB Project 1210 Final Report, 2011
- Photographing Stranded Beluga Whales for Identification - CIBW Photo-ID Project Protocol, 2015
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in the Susitna River Delta, Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska: Final Report of Field Activities in 2013, 2014
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Waters of Cook Inlet: Field Activities and Belugas Identified 2011-2013, 2014
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Eagle Bay, Knik Arm, Upper Cook Inlet: Field Activities and Belugas Identified 2011, 2013
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Susitna Delta, Upper Cook Inlet: Field Activities 2011 and 2012, Belugas Re-sighted 2011, 2013
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Upper Cook Inlet: Field Activities and Belugas Re-sighted 2010, 2012
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Upper Cook Inlet: Development of a Left-Side Catalog 2005-2008, 2011
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Upper Cook Inlet: Field Activities and Belugas Re-sighted 2009, 2011
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Upper Cook Inlet: Mark Analysis, Mark Re-sight Estimates, and Color Analysis 2008, 2009
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Upper Cook Inlet: Belugas Re-sighted 2008, 2009
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Upper Cook Inlet: Field Activities 2008, 2009
- Photo-ID of Beluga Whales in Upper Cook Inlet 2007, 2008
Strandings
- Photographing Stranded Beluga Whales for Identification - CIBW Photo-ID Project Protocol, 2015
- Cook Inlet Beluga Strandings 1987-2012: Description and Retrospective Analysis of Level A Data, 2013
- Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Stranding Response Plan, 2009
- Unusual Mortality in the 2003 Depleted Cook Inlet Beluga Population, 2005
- 30 Years of Data from Stranded and Hunter-Harvested Cook Inlet Beluga Whales: Creation of a Web-hosted Database, 2003
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
- Relationship Between the Native Village of Tyonek, Alaska and Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2011
- Exploring Ecological Changes in Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Habitat Through Traditional and Local Ecological Knowledge of Contributing Factors for Population Decline, 2011
- Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Population Decline and Recovery: An Exploration Through Local Ecological Knowledge, 2009
- Harvest History of Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2000
- Traditional Knowledge of the Ecology of Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, in Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2000
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