Come & visit Whales of Iceland museum with us.

 

A team of expert craftsmen have sculpted 23 life-like and detailed cetaceans found in Icelandic waters. The audio guides are narrated by an international group of marine biologists and tour guides. 

 

Let's bring attention to Beluga whale. 

 

Belugas are one of only three species of cetacean native to the Arctic.  The most distinctive characteristic of this species is their colour. Their name is derived from the Russian word for white, and they are known as the white whale in many languages. Though belugas are actually born dark grey, and become white as they age. It can take more than 10 years until they are fully white!

 

The migration is closely linked to the sea ice. In winter, most belugas travel with the advancing ice edge, and when the ice begins to recede in spring they move into their coastal summer grounds. However, some populations spend the whole winter in iced-over areas of the Arctic. During the summer months, beluga whales congregate in groups of hundreds or thousands in shallow bays and coastal inlets.

 

Unfortunately, climate change poses a major threat to belugas. As mentioned, their seasonal migrations are tied to the annual cycle of sea ice formation. It’s very hard to predict how changes will affect beluga whales, but we are already seeing some beluga populations begin to occupy different areas of the Arctic. Sea ice is also a critical habitat for many of their prey species, and provides protection against killer whales. With a reduction in ice coverage, killer whales are now able to reach parts of the Arctic where belugas were previously safe.