Three beluga whales have been frequently spotted near the coast of Long Island, areas that are much further south than the Arctic waters, which is their natural habitat.
Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that the cetaceans (word used to refer to whales, dolphins and porpoises) might have wandered down south from the St. Lawrence Estuary located in Canada, approximately 940 miles away, where the species was last spotted in 2013. If the whales happened to head back today, it could take them up to 8 weeks to swim back, said NOAA biologist Jamison Smith to Rhode Island Public Radio.
However, the marine mammals appeared to be going even further southeast, and according to Smith, their instinctive nature was taking them further. The first sighting was reported on May 10, and the whales have been spotted in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, too.
Belugas are normally found in freezing waters and 40 percent of their body mass is made up of blubber, which helps it survive Arctic temperatures. This group of cetaceans, however, may be in pursuit of food on their long journey, according to WABC-TV.
Experts are of the opinion that the trio consists of three young males, which was determined by their length of eight feet. Adult males are usually 13-20 feet long, Clapway reports.
According to CBS Local News, researchers from NOAA are closely observing the pod as it travels. Boaters have also been advised to keep safe distance from the animals and turn off their propellers if the whales are spotted nearby.
