Beluga Whales of Somerset Island

Nansen is on Somerset Island, Nunavut, located above the Arctic Circle. He describes the island as a harsh but rewarding environment. Nansen is there to photo identify Beluga whales, which gather in the area every summer. Approximately 2,000 Beluga whales come to molt, socialize, and raise their young. Nansen's work aims to track the whales' patterns and ensure their safety as the Northwest Passage opens, increasing ship traffic and threatening their habitat.

What is the location of Somerset Island?

• 500 miles below the Arctic Circle

• 500 miles above the Arctic Circle

• In the middle of the Arctic Circle

• 500 miles east of the Arctic Circle

What is one of the main reasons Beluga whales gather at Somerset Island?

• To escape predators

• To molt their skin and socialize

• To hunt for food

• To migrate to warmer waters

Approximately how many Beluga whales visit Somerset Island each summer?

• 3,000

• 1,000

• 2,000

• 4,000

Why is it important to study the Beluga whales at Somerset Island?

• To develop new shipping routes

• To increase tourism

• To ensure their safety amidst increasing ship traffic

• To find new fishing grounds

What environmental change is affecting the Beluga whales' habitat?

• Rising sea levels

• Opening of the Northwest Passage

• Increased ice formation

• Decreased salinity in the water