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NRLD - 93405 | Delphinapterus leucas

Assessment ID
93405
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
Eastern Hudson 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)
A2d C1 E
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
The population was reduced by at least 50% and continues to decline. Overhunting continues throughout its summer and migratory range. Mathematical models predict that it will likely disappear under present hunting levels in less than 10 to 15 years. Concerns have been expressed about habitat degradation of estuaries by hydroelectric projects, and by small vessel traffic disturbance.; La population a été réduite d'au moins 50 p. 100 et le déclin continue. La chasse excessive se poursuit dans toute son aire de répartition estivale et migratoire. Selon des modèles mathématiques, si les prises restent à leur niveau actuel, la population disparaà®tra vraisemblablement dans moins de 10 à 15 ans. Des préoccupations ont été exprimées au sujet de la dégradation de l'habitat des estuaires provoquée par les installations hydroélectriques et les perturbations dues au trafic des petites embarcations.
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
Nunavut; 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 Threatened in April 1988. Status re-examined and designated Endangered in May 2004.; Espèce désignée ' menacée ' en avril 1988. Réexamen du statut : l'espèce a été désignée ' en voie de disparition ' 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