Cortisol levels in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas): Setting a benchmark for Marine Protected Area monitoring

• Published in: Arctic science Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 358 - 372
• Main Authors: Loseto, Lisa L., Pleskach, Kerri, Hoover, Carie, Tomy, Gregg T., Desforges, Jean-Pierre, Halldorson, Thor, Ross, Peter S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press 01.09.2018; Canadian Science Publishing
• Subjects: Aquatic mammals; beaufort sea; Biological effects; Blubber; Climate change; Conservation; Contaminants; Cortisol; Delphinapterus leucas; Environmental stress; Habitats; High-performance liquid chromatography; Hormones; HPLC; Liquid chromatography; Marine mammals; Marine parks; Marine protected areas; Monitoring; Organic contaminants; physiology; Plasma; Protected areas; Skin; Whales; Wildlife; Wildlife management; Canada; Beaufort Sea; Northwest Territories Canada; Arctic region

Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are facing profound changes in their habitat, with impacts expected at the individual and population level. Detecting and monitoring exposure and response to environmental stressors is necessary for beluga conservation and management of human activities. Cortiso...