Celebrate belugas with virtual programming next week

The three-day event will include conferences and activities

In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

The Defenders of Wildlife, a national conservation organization, is kicking off its 3rd annual “belugapalooza” virtual programming next week, to celebrate and bring awareness to the endangered belugas in Cook Inlet.

The three-day event will include conferences and activities.

May 18 from 4:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. is the kickoff, with a presentation by Jill Seymour, Cook Inlet beluga recovery coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, on the state Cook Inlet belugas. The event will also include a game of trivia. Register for the Zoom session at https://defenders-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpd-iurDkuGdVcz485y4bkxwsAcsVm7cYT.

Storytelling is the topic for the May 19 session, which also will be from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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Different people will be sharing about their connections to the beluga whales in the area, and what they hope for the species in the future. Register for the session at https://defenders-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tdu2trj8iHdB9Pcirb2nbAtmr2JI7-XN4.

The last session will be on May 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and will feature a presentation about the Cook Inlet beluga recovery plan by two researchers. Register for day three at https://defenders-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElc-CprzMrGNBRIf5bnVO5QYK01ijyPj5i.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.