The US government recently concluded that a genetically distinct population of belugas in Cook Inlet, Alaska, currently numbering around 300 individuals, could go extinct unless something is done.

From a estimate of 1,300 in the 1970s, the population went into sharp decline in the 1990s and concerned NGOs and scientists petitioned for it to be listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act; a listing that mandates a series of mitigating actions by the US Government. But officials declined the request, attributing the decline to over-hunting and introducing hunting restrictions instead.

That was not enough. Despite the hunting limits, the population continued to decline. Some other factors are likely involved - not surprising in light of the population’s location in Alaska’s most populated and fastest growing watershed and on the doorstep of its largest city – Anchorage. Cook Inlet is not only a major shipping hub and fishing centre, with the attendant disturbance to the whales habitat, it is the birthplace of oil and gas exploration in Alaska, bringing with it the risks of underwater seismic blasting, vessel traffic, and contamination from leaks and spills

Ironically, Anchorage is also the venue for the 2007 meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the head of the USA’s IWC delegation – coincidentally the person who will make the decision on the beluga listing - is the meeting’s Chair.

WDCS wants this coincidence to help the Cook Inlet Beluga. The eyes of the world will be on Anchorage in May. Help WDCS call on the USA to live up to its reputation as a world leader in whale and dolphin conservation. We want Dr Hogarth to make a proud announcement to delegates, NGOs and press gathered from over 70 countries at the IWC meeting that the USA has taken the right step to protect this population living on the doorstep of the meeting venue and finally listed it as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act

Your voice counts. Make sure it is heard. Governments often disregard ‘form’ letters and petitions, but the US government cannot ignore individual comments. Please make sure you write an email in your own words, expressing your concern and desire to protect this species.

Please send an email to Dr Bill Hogarth at beluga.whales@noaa.gov –