Changes

Natural predators of belugas are [[polar bear]]s and [[orca]]s. Predation by orcas is estimated at least 1 animal per year. According to some population models, this is just below a level that would lead to population declines. Beluga whales trapped by ice are often susceptible to predation by polar bears, starvation, and suffocation. Strandings are common in this population and seem to result from avoidance of killer whales plus other unknown causes. The low reproductive rate of beluga whales is also a concern.

Natural predators of belugas are [[polar bear]]s and [[orca]]s. Predation by orcas is estimated at least 1 animal per year. According to some population models, this is just below a level that would lead to population declines. Beluga whales trapped by ice are often susceptible to predation by polar bears, starvation, and suffocation. Strandings are common in this population and seem to result from avoidance of killer whales plus other unknown causes. The low reproductive rate of beluga whales is also a concern.

Belugas are the only cetacean with skin thick enough to be used as leather when tanned. For this and other reasons they have been harvested over the years. Human-caused mortality, primarily legal subsistence harvest by Alaska Natives, has been the most significant source of mortality of this species during recent times.  The stock of belugas isolated in Alaska's Cook Inlet suffered severe losses during the past twenty years as a result of increased human activity (fishing, shipping, etc), dropping the population to roughly 280 individuals.

Belugas are the only cetacean with skin thick enough to be used as leather when tanned. For this and other reasons they have been harvested over the years. Human-caused mortality, primarily legal subsistence harvest by Alaska Natives, has been the most significant source of mortality of this species during recent times.  The stock of belugas isolated in Alaska's Cook Inlet suffered severe losses during the past twenty years as a result of increased human activity (fishing, shipping, etc), dropping the population to roughly 280 individuals, and causing the federal government to list this stock as endangered[http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20081017_belugawhale.html].