Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Kenai Waters Survey

Welcome to the Cook Inlet Beluga Sightings Survey

This project seeks to address a critical gap in knowledge about the historical distribution and use of habitat by Cook Inlet Beluga Whales (CIBW) in lakes, rivers and marine waters adjacent to the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) before 1994. The project involves obtaining the best available historical information on CIBW range and habitat use from “eye witnesses.” Very little is known about historical patterns of habitat use by CIBW since settlement of the Inlet, particularly in waters adjacent to the Kenai Peninsula Borough prior to 1994 when systematic scientific surveys began.
We are interested in both your personal observations as well as any recollections of beluga sightings that members of your family or your friends may have made – no matter how incidental or limited those recollections are. We are also very interested in obtaining copies of any photographs or video footage you may have taken of belugas in Kenai waters.

Thank you for taking time to complete this survey - if you have any questions about the project, please contact Casey Schulke at the Alaska SeaLife Center on (907) 224-7903 or by email caseys@alaskasealife.org. Please note that all information you provide will be considered private and you will not be identified in the analysis of data from this survey unless you specifically wish to be identified by providing your name and contact details.

Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Kenai Waters

Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Kenai Waters Before 1994

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* 1. Where do you currently live?

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* 2. Is your information about Cook Inlet Belugas obtained from (please tick one answer)?

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* 3. What information do you have about seeing Cook Inlet Belugas in lakes, rivers or marine waters on the Kenai Peninsula before 1994? (please be as complete as possible - how many did you see, where and when, what were they doing?, etc.)

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* 4. Do you have any recordings of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Kenai waters from before 1994? (please tick all that apply or leave blank if not applicable)

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* 5. What information do you have from others about seeing Cook Inlet Belugas in lakes, rivers or marine waters on the Kenai Peninsula before 1994? (please be as complete as possible - who told you, how many did they see, where and when, what were they doing?, etc.)

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* 6. Do your family or friends have any recordings of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Kenai waters from before 1994? (please tick all that apply or leave blank if not applicable)

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* 7. Do you have any suggestions for others sources of information about Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Kenai waters before 1994?

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* 8. Would you be willing to talk with one of our researchers about the information you have provided in this survey?

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* 9. Would you like to receive a copy of the report from this project?