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NRLD - 93443 | Delphinapterus leucas

Assessment ID
93443
Taxon name
Delphinapterus leucas
(Pallas, 1776)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Delphinapterus leucas
(Pallas, 1776)
Common name(s)
Beluga Whale (English), Béluga (Français)
Assessed taxon level
Population
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
monodontidae
Genus
Delphinapterus
Species
leucas
Species authority
(Pallas, 1776)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Ungava Bay population
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Canada
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Canada
Country ISO code(s)
CAN
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Endangered; En voie de disparition
Abbreviated status
EN
Qualifying criteria (if given)
A2a D1
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
All signs indicate that the population residing in Ungava Bay is very small and may be extirpated. However, it is difficult to definitively conclude that they have been extirpated because beluga from other populations may visit Ungava Bay. Hunting caused the population decline and continues in Ungava Bay, posing a threat to any remaining beluga.; Tous les signes indiquent que la population résidente de la baie d'Ungava est très faible et peut-être disparue du pays. Cependant, il est difficile de conclure sans aucun doute qu'elle a disparu du pays, car les bélugas d'autres populations peuvent se rendre à la baie d'Ungava. La chasse a causé le déclin de la population, et ce déclin se poursuit dans la baie d'Ungava, ce qui pose une menace pour tout béluga restant.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2004
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Environment Canada.
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN
Reference for methods given
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2004)
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/wildlife-plants-species/species-risk.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Yes
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Quebec; Arctic Ocean; Atlantic Ocean
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
No information available
History
Designated Endangered in April 1988. Status re-examined and confirmed in May 2004.; Espèce désignée ' en voie de disparition ' en avril 1988. Réexamen et confirmation du statut en mai 2004.
Publication
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2004)
COSEWIC. 2004. Canadian Wildlife Species at Risk. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Web site: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/wildlife-plants-species/species-risk.html