Each summer, our research team travels to Churchill, Manitoba, to study the Western Hudson Bay beluga whale population. From field research and education programs to citizen science initiatives, this year was another exciting season.
What is Beluga Bits?
Beluga Bits is a collaborative citizen science project that studies beluga whales that spend their summers in the Churchill River estuary in northern Manitoba, in partnership with Explore.org, Polar Bears International, and Zooniverse.
Using underwater photos and videos, our researchers can monitor belugas non-invasively and better understand both whale and ocean health.
The project also helps identify emerging threats to this population while creating opportunities for people around the world to connect with northern conservation efforts and contribute directly to science.
Highlights from the 2026 Field Season
This year's research season was filled with exciting milestones:
- Travelled to Churchill in May to install cameras at the Port of Churchill as part of a research collaboration with Oceans North. Our research staff gathered five months of photo data to support long-term beluga monitoring.
- Returned to Churchill in July for the Beluga Bits season opening with Polar Bears International and Explore.org aboard the M/V Sea Canary in the Churchill River estuary.
- Led two Belugas in the Bay Learning Vacations with the Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
- Livestreamed underwater footage on Explore.org throughout much of July and August, benefiting from exceptional water clarity.
- Observed a variety of fascinating beluga behaviours, including interactions with schools of capelin, mixed-group interactions, and numerous social behaviours.
- Collected nearly 250 underwater 360-degree videos in Churchill during the 2026 season.
- Captured more than 10,000 above-water photographs for photo-identification research.
- Surpassed 42,500 volunteers participating through Beluga Bits on Zooniverse!
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Dr. Courtney Shuert takes above-water photos for identification research
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Dr. Stephen Petersen and Dr. Courtney Shuert share about Beluga Bits with the Churchill Community
Dr. Stephen Petersen holds the 360 camera aboard the Beluga Boat
How You Can Help
You can help us learn more about these incredible whales and the ecosystems they depend on by becoming a citizen scientist with Beluga Bits.
One of our current Zooniverse workflows, Pod Squad, invites volunteers to analyze photos and help researchers better understand grouping behaviour among belugas in the Churchill River estuary. Your observations help identify behaviours of interest and contribute valuable data to ongoing research. We will also be uploading data from the 2026 field season soon!
There are many other ways to support beluga conservation and ocean health in your own community:
- Help keep local waterways clean and litter-free
- Advocate for aquatic wildlife and healthy ecosystems
- Share concerns and conservation priorities with local leaders
- Support organizations working to protect ocean and freshwater habitats
- For educators, students, and anyone interested in learning more about belugas, explore the Beluga Bits in the Classroom program
Together, we can help advance beluga research, support healthy ecosystems, and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders.
If you’re looking for ways to support our work, you can donate to the Wildlife Conservation Fund or choose a Conservation Inspire Membership when you renew your membership.
Inspire Conservation members enjoy unlimited visits to Assiniboine Park Zoo and The Leaf, special discounts and exclusive benefits. A contribution to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy Wildlife Conservation Fund is also included with this membership.
