Provinces and Territories · Drawing 16 of 42
Watching belugas
Québec
Belugas are white whales that live in the St. Lawrence all year round. To leave them in peace, we watch them from far away, on the shore.
Look together
What sound do you think a beluga makes?
An idea to try
Play belugas: one person makes a small sound and the other copies it with eyes closed. Then swap roles.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
The beluga is the only whale that lives in the St. Lawrence all year round. Adults are white and have no dorsal fin; young belugas are grey to blue or brown. Their remarkably varied calls earned them the nickname “sea canaries.” The St. Lawrence population is listed as endangered under the Species at Risk Act.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada asks boaters to stay at least 400 metres away and encourages watching belugas from shore, for example at the Pointe-Noire centre in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. The drawing shows them closer than in reality. Talk with your child about respecting animals: watch from afar, speak softly, never follow them.
Sources and context (3)
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada — Rules of Navigation around Beluga Whales in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Saguenay RiverListed as endangered under SARA; the only cetacean living year-round in the St. Lawrence; minimum distance of 400 metres; observe belugas from the shore.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Beluga WhaleAdults white, no dorsal fin; calves and juveniles grey to blue or brown; varied vocal repertoire, called sea canaries.
- Parks Canada — Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre, Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine ParkShore site at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord for watching belugas in their natural habitat.
Source review: 2026-09-24. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.