Kamogawa Sea World's Idol : The Ecology of the Beluga

Do you know about the marine creature called the "canary of the sea"?

It's the beluga, primarily found in cold regions around the Arctic Ocean. Known by alternate names such as the "white dolphin" or "white whale" the beluga's strikingly white body has earned it the nickname "the canary of the sea" due to its diverse vocalizations.

You can meet belugas at Kamogawa Sea World located in Chiba Prefecture. It's an aquarium where approximately 800 species of animals are kept. It provides an opportunity to encounter marine creatures that you may not often have the chance to interact with in your daily life.

There are few aquariums that house belugas, with only four such facilities in Japan. Kamogawa Sea World pioneered beluga captivity exhibits in Japan in 1976, followed by the world's first underwater performances.

In the fall of 2023, Kamogawa Sea World welcomed its third beluga calf, bringing the total number of belugas in captivity at the facility to seven. These belugas reside in the "Marine Theater" and entertain visitors with performances.

Belugas, with their entirely white bodies, initially appear to have only size as a noticeable difference. However...

"There are few animals where differences in individual personalities are as evident as in belugas. For instance, Nak (male), known for the distinctive wrinkles on his face, has a somewhat temperamental yet earnest personality. He excels in training and performances. Belugas have flexible and highly mobile mouths, resulting in expressive facial features. While this might be subjective from the trainer's perspective, it sometimes seems that their expressions are linked to their emotions."

Such words are spoken by Ms. Misaki Suzuki, a seasoned trainer who has been handling belugas for seven years. While caring for the seven belugas, she also provides explanations about the animals to visitors.

"I introduce what kind of life belugas, living in the Arctic Ocean, lead and how dolphins use sound in an underwater environment. During performances, I consciously aim to convey, in an enjoyable and understandable manner with the help of visuals, the innate abilities of these animals."

Ms. Suzuki explains clearly in front of the audience about the belugas' high-pitched vocalizations, which humans cannot perceive.

On September 18, 2023, a new life of a beluga was born.

Following the births in 2021, the new member's name is "Theo." He is a male born between "Nack" (male) and "Milly" (female), who gave birth for the first time this time, at Kamogawa Sea World.

"Since the birth occurs underwater, it is difficult for human intervention, and the visibility from above the pool is also poor due to bleeding. We anxiously watched over," says Ms. Suzuki and veterinarian Ms. Shibahara.

"This time, the birth went smoothly, but when Viz (female) was born last time, it was quite a difficult delivery. After her water broke, the fetus did not appear for a while, so we had to intervene during the delivery process, and thankfully, she was born safely. However, she experienced feeding difficulties from the 6th day after birth. We resorted to artificial feeding using powdered milk for animals, among other methods, while referring to cases of other cetaceans and international experiences," said Ms. Shibahara.

This experience also proved beneficial for Theo's upbringing. Thanks to the knowledge accumulated over nearly 50 years of caring for belugas, support from pregnancy to birth and childcare is possible, despite the challenges inherent in beluga husbandry.

At the largest shop in the facility, "Bazaar Court Raoi," you'll find a diverse array of beluga-themed items.

From "Beluga 3-tier Cookies" featuring illustrations of beluga expressions to "Beluga Forehead" which mimics the soft protrusions atop their heads with white marshmallow, there are also sweets perfect for souvenirs.

The selection also includes plush toys, postcards, and other merchandise. Particularly noteworthy is the "BIG Beluga Plush Toy," which commands attention with its outstanding presence in the spacious store. With a total length of 1.9 meters, it's much larger than a newborn beluga calf (approximately 130cm), making it perfect for use as a body pillow. Due to made-to-order production, please allow several months to approximately half a year for delivery.