BELUGA WHALES
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The Kenai Peninsula is one of the few places where the average traveler can see beluga whales. However, visitors who come to the Peninsula expecting to see these gregarious creatures in abundance are often disappointed. Recent studies have found the Cook Inlet population of belugas at a dangerous low of approximately 350 whales. Biologists are expressing great concern over the seemingly depleted population. Despite their drop in numbers, the elusive belugas can sometimes be seen an hour before and after high tide.

Look for this beautiful white whale in:

• Turnagain Arm
• Near the mouth of the Kenai River

Some interesting Beluga facts:

• Early whalers called these noisy creatures "sea canaries."
• At birth, belugas are dark gray but fade to completely white by age 5.
• The average adult male is 13 feet long and weighs 3,300 pounds.

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