DistantNews
It's not commonly found in these areas. A white whale was spotted in a river near Oslo
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Slovakia /Health & Science

It's not commonly found in these areas. A white whale was spotted in a river near Oslo

From SME · (8m ago) Slovak

Translated from Slovak, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A beluga whale was spotted in the Drammenselva river near Hokksund, Norway, far from its natural Arctic habitat.
  • Beluga whales typically inhabit much colder, northern waters and are rarely seen this far south.
  • Experts are unsure why the whale ventured so far south but noted it appeared healthy and capable of swimming in freshwater.

From SME, Bratislava:

Beluga whales, which grow up to five meters long, are usually found much further north, near Greenland or in the Arctic in areas north of Norway or the Russian Federation.

โ€” Marie-Anne Blanchet, researcher at the Norwegian Polar InstituteExplaining the typical habitat of beluga whales.

A rare sight has captivated residents and baffled scientists: a beluga whale, typically an inhabitant of the frigid Arctic waters, has been spotted swimming in a river in southern Norway, a considerable distance from its usual domain. The whale, identified by its distinctive white coloration, was seen in the Drammenselva river, not far from the capital city of Oslo.

This unusual occurrence has drawn attention due to the species' typical migratory patterns. Beluga whales, known for their adaptability and reaching up to five meters in length, are usually found in the icy waters near Greenland, the Arctic, or the northern reaches of Russia and Norway. Their presence in a river in southern Scandinavia is highly irregular, prompting questions about the reasons behind this unexpected journey.

We don't know why it swam this far, but this marine mammal is usually not found in southern Scandinavia.

โ€” Marie-Anne Blanchet, researcher at the Norwegian Polar InstituteExpressing uncertainty about the whale's unusual location.

Marine researchers suggest that such deviations from normal behavior can be driven by various factors, including the search for food, mating, or escaping predators. While the whale in question appeared to be in good health and was swimming normally, its exact motivation for traveling so far south remains a mystery. It is known, however, that belugas can navigate freshwater environments, which explains its presence in the river.

It can swim in freshwater too.

โ€” Marie-Anne Blanchet, researcher at the Norwegian Polar InstituteConfirming the whale's ability to adapt to freshwater environments.

The sighting raises concerns, as while the whale might be able to find its way back to its natural habitat, prolonged contact with humans is not ideal. The advice from experts is to observe from a distance and allow the animal to proceed without interference. This peculiar event serves as a reminder of the vastness of the ocean and the sometimes-unpredictable lives of its inhabitants, offering a unique glimpse into the natural world that rarely ventures so close to urban centers.

Theoretically, it should be able to find its way back to its natural environment, but contact with humans is not ideal. The only thing we can do is leave it alone.

โ€” Marie-Anne Blanchet, researcher at the Norwegian Polar InstituteAdvising on the best course of action for the whale's well-being.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by SME in Slovak. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.